Since the earliest volunteer bucket brigades, the city of Waterbury has relied on courageous men and women to protect lives and property. Here’s a look at how that story unfolded:

Early Beginnings

Before 1830, there was no formal fire-fighting organization in Waterbury. The first official fire company was formed when the borough recognized the need to protect citizens from the dangers of fire. By 1854, the city formally established what became the Waterbury Fire Department. The first listed fire chief was Edward S. Clark, followed by a line of leaders through the years.

Growth & Evolution

Over the decades, the Waterbury Fire Department evolved from horse-drawn and hand-pumped engines into a modern, fully equipped career department. Today, the department provides a wide range of services, including fire suppression, accident extrication, emergency medical response, hazardous-materials mitigation, technical rescue operations, fire scene investigation, fire code enforcement, and public fire education.

The department now operates nine engine companies, three ladder companies, one heavy rescue company, and multiple bureaus. It responds to roughly 22,000 calls per year and is staffed by about 235 members.

Recent Developments & Challenges

In 2025, the city closed Fire Station 1 for a major $5.7 million renovation, part of a larger plan to upgrade aging firehouses and modernize conditions for firefighters. The improvements include new living and sleeping quarters, upgraded apparatus bays, and an overhaul of facilities built in the early 1900s. This project reflects the city’s commitment to valuing the safety and well-being of its first responders.

Why It Matters

The history of fire and rescue in Waterbury is more than a record of equipment and buildings. It is a story of community resilience: of firefighters standing ready in the face of building fires, industrial hazards, water rescues, and medical emergencies. Each new capability and facility upgrade demonstrates the city’s ongoing commitment to public safety.

As we honor our first responders today, we also honor a legacy—decades of service, risk, and sacrifice—that continues to protect the people of Waterbury.