Providence Fire Department

Providence Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Rhode Island
CityProvidence
Agency overview
EstablishedMarch 1, 1854 (1854-03-01)
Annual calls45,750 (2024)
Annual budget$67,775,182 (2014)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefDerek Silva
IAFF799
Motto“In Omnia Paratus,” meaning “In All Things Ready”
Facilities and equipment
Divisions1
Battalions3
Stations12
Engines12
Trucks7
Platforms2
Squads1(Special Hazards)
Rescues7 (ambulances)
Tenders1
HAZMAT1
Fireboats1
Rescue boats1
Light and air1
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Providence Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Providence, Rhode Island.

History

Providence's first fire department was organized in 1759. The state General Assembly raised money to purchase the town's first large water engine, and required every citizen to acquire a pair of two-gallon leather buckets to form volunteer bucket brigades.

On March 1, 1854, a paid fire department was established, making it the second oldest professional fire department in the country.

A years-long contract dispute between the city and the firefighter's union began in 2001. Mayor David Cicilline promised to resolve the dispute within 30 days of his election in 2002, but was unable to reach an agreement. In 2009, the dispute became national news as Vice President Joe Biden refused to attend the national mayor’s conference, held that year in Providence, so as not to cross the picket line.

As part of a 2017 agreement reached by mayor Jorge Elorza, the Humboldt Avenue and Rochambeau Avenue firehouses were decommissioned to save costs.

Providence Fire Department in the 2025 Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Operations

Fire Station Locations and Apparatus

The PFD operates out of twelve fire stations, organized into three battalions

Engine Company Ladder Company EMS Rescue Ambulance Units Special Unit Chief Unit Address Neighborhood Battalion
Engine 2Ladder 7EMS Rescue Ambulance Unit 3Marine UnitBattalion Chief 310 Branch Ave.Mt. Hope3
Engine 3Tower Ladder 1Rescue 4Special Hazards 1(Heavy Rescue & Haz-Mat)Division Chief 1(Deputy Chief), Safety Battalion Chief325 Washington St.Federal Hill1
Engine 6Rescue 2489 Hartford Ave.Hartford2
Engine 7Rescue 5Air Cascade Unit 1151 N. Main St.College Hill3
Engine 8Tower Ladder 2Battalion Chief 2201 Messer St.West End2
Engine 9Ladder 8Fireboat 1223 Brook St.Fox Point3
Engine 10Ladder 5Rescue 1847 Broad St.Lower South Providence1
Engine 11274 Reservoir Ave.Reservoir1
Engine 12Ladder 3Rescue 7426 Admiral St.Elmhurst3
Engine 13Foam UnitBattalion Chief 1776 Allens Ave.Washington Park1
Engine 14Ladder 6Rescue 6639 Atwells Ave.Valley2
Engine 15Car 56, Car 72 (Fire Investigations)136 Mt. Pleasant Ave.Mt. Pleasant2

Former stations

References

  1. ↑ "2014 Annual Budget". Providence Rhode Island. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ "2024 Annual Report" (PDF). Providence Fire Department. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "About Us". City of Providence Fire Department. City of Providence. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Stations". Providence Fire Department. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Providence Fire Department Records". Rhode Island Historical Society. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Molinaro, Sara (October 31, 2006). "Firefighters and city make slow progress in contract talks". Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Providence mayor, union duel over national meeting". Deseret News. Associated Press. June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  8. ↑ Bramson, Kate (January 7, 2017). "Providence firehouses closing as part of downsizing". The Providence Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  9. ↑ Reynolds, Mark (January 5, 2017). "Providence, firefighters' union approve 5-year contract, ending long standoff". The Providence Journal. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Find a fire station".

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