On May 10, 1895, the city council passed ordinance #307 authorizing Tampa's first professional, paid fire department. A. J. Harris was named chief to preside over 22 fire fighters in five stations at an annual budget of $18,000. The paid firefighters worked in the stations for ten to twelve days at a time. Most of the firefighters lived near their duty stations and were permitted to go home for meals, provided they could return within one hour. Their salary was equivalent to that of police patrol officers, about $600 a year.

Today Tampa Fire Rescue's Firefighters work a 24 hour shift , with 48 hours off.  Tampa Fire Rescue responded to over 58,000 alarms last year from 22 stations located throughout the 128 square miles of the city. Included in it's responsibility is the Port of Tampa shipping 52 million tons of cargo per year and handling more hazardous materials than anywhere else in Florida.

Fire station no. 9 is located on the corner of Tampania
and Chestnut St. in West Tampa

Click to read the plaque

Poised and ready to roll, these trucks are in good shape but the facility is in need of improvement.

Courage, Valor, Pride and Honor wave proudly from the garage ceiling.

This cheerful fellow gets to ride on the dashboard on all the calls.

Visit Tampasbravest.com

Tampa Firefighters Museum

Tampa Fire Rescue photo gallery

Society for the Preservation, and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America

Fire Museum Network

Florida Antique Bucket Brigade

Florida State Firefighters Association

International Association of Fire Chiefs