Providence's first fire department was organized in 1759.[5] 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.[3]
On March 1, 1854, a paid fire department was established, making it the second oldest professional fire department in the country.[3]
A years-long contract dispute between the city and the firefighter's union began in 2001.[6] Mayor David Cicilline promised to resolve the dispute within 30 days of his election in 2002, but was unable to reach an agreement.[6] 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.[7]
As part of a 2017 agreement reached by mayor Jorge Elorza, the Humboldt Avenue and Rochambeau Avenue firehouses were decommissioned to save costs.[8][9]
Operations
Fire Station Locations and Apparatus
The PFD operates out of twelve fire stations, organized into three battalions[10]
