To end the problems created by rivalries between these companies, District of Columbia approved in 1864 an act to consolidate them and organize a paid fire department.

[5] Seven years passed before it was implemented on September 23, 1871, creating the all-professional District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD) with a combination of paid and volunteer staff.

The four days of disorder saw widespread civil unrest, looting and arson, which ultimately required help with 70 outside companies to battle over 500 fires and perform 120 rescues.

While the Arlington County Fire Department had primary jurisdiction for the response and aftermath of the attack, DCFD units responded to the Pentagon to provide mutual aid.

At approximately 09:46 AM EST, the Fire Communications center dispatched several units to the White House for a reported plane crash into the structure.

[10] After a hiring freeze left 130 positions unfilled, the department was projected to spend $15.4 million in fiscal 2010 (2.5 times the budgeted amount).

The department lost track of the location of reserve vehicles, and sometimes listed fire engines as available for duty when they had been stripped for parts and sent to the junkyard.

On March 2, 2015, Mayor Bowser named Gregory Dean as Chief of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.

DCFD also had a role in the high-profile EMS response to the shooting of rioter Ashli Babbitt by a United States Capitol Police officer.

This response was deemed somewhat unsafe for DCFD personnel by many working in the fire department as many responders were treated in a hostile manner by rioters.