Jamestown Fire Department

The Jamestown Fire Department was organized in 1827 under the original act of incorporation of the Village of Jamestown as a fully-volunteer department. As the population grew, fire stations were erected and equipment was purchased, and the City survived several disastrous fires which destroyed the Main Street and downtown area.

As the 20th century dawned, it was apparent that a serious reorganization was required. After the Gokey Fire in March 1910, the City's Common Council adopted a resolution establishing a paid department effective March 1, 1911. The new paid department consisted of 37 men, who replaced nearly 200 volunteers.

The City Hall Station became the headquarters of the paid department, housing two ladder companies and Engine Company No. 1. Other stations were established throughout the City, and as the years progressed, the horse-drawn apparatus was replaced by more modern equipment.

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Over the years the Department has recorded eight line-of-duty deaths with half of those occurring in June 1934 when Jamestown's trucks and men responded to the Richfield Oil Company fire on Fluvanna Avenue.

Today the City's fire stations are on Newland Avenue, Fairmount Avenue and at the intersection of Buffalo and Allen streets. Station 1 at City Hall houses the Ladder trucks, Rescue 1, Medic 35 and Ambulance 1 as well as the Administrative Offices. There are a total of 57 employees that work rotating shifts on four platoons, the Deputy Chief and one civilian employee.