The Louisville Fire Department
The Louisville Fire Department was established on June 1, 1858, replacing a number of small volunteer departments.
-
Big Fires
Over the years, Louisville firefighters have fought massive blazes and saved countless lives. For a retrospective of photos over many years, click here.
-
History
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
-
Firehouses
Fire departments are all about their firehouses! For a great article about all of the historic firehouses that the Louisville Fire Department has used through the years, click here.
-
Engine 8
The significance of the Louisville Fire Department’s Engine 8. Click here!
Notables
Col. Larry Bonnafon, Sr.
Arnold Neuenschwander
Line of Duty Deaths
Captain Herman Gernhardt EOW 1/19/1908
Donald LeCompte EOW 1/21/1972
Herbert Coke EOW 1/30/1890
Charles Kern EOW 1/7/1933
Walter Sinkhorn EOW 2/2/1902
Thomas H. Finley EOW 6/9/1893
Henry T. Wells EOW 6/12/1893
Thomas John Maloney EOW 12/27/1922
Larry Wayne Straughn EOW 1/31/1978
Richard Musselman 2/6/1895
William Patton EOW 1/6/1930
Dennis Hamilton EOW Mid-February, 1888
Photos
Engine 17
The original Engine 13 (Rudd Avenue)
1915 photo of Fire Engine Co No. 15 Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3 located at 1328-1330 So. Preston. Chas. Meyers Captain at a salary of $1,400 while Timothy Lehan was Chief of Fire Dept. at 3,000 per year There were 22 engine companies& 6 hook & ladder stations at the time. Photo courtesy of UL photo archives.
1874, 24th and Portland. Engine Co No. 6, named after first fire chief, A. Y. Johnson. (Back then, firehouses were named after members of the community.)
Engine 2 - back when it had it's lovely dome!