[5] Dublin man J.R. Ingram became the first superintendent of the brigade, having worked as a fireman in New York and London.

[6] In 1947, Edgar F. Keatinge, writing in the Dublin Historical Record, lamented about the passing of old Dublin, and horse-drawn services in the city:[7] "There is always a thrill about a Fire Brigade engine dashing by, but to my mind the modern motor-engine cannot compare with the galloping horses and the clanging bell of 50 years ago; and to watch the driver being firmly held by the belt by two of his comrades to prevent his being dragged from his seat by the straining horses, was a sight to be remembered".

When the firemen arrived they were met with scenes of panic, disorder and suffering at what would turn out be one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the state.

[8][9] There are currently 14 fire stations staffed by DFB, 12 of which are full-time, the other 2 are part-time or "retained".

Dublin Fire Brigade's fire and rescue resources are funded by and under the remit of Dublin City Council, and medical resources are funded by the HSE via service-level agreement from the National Ambulance Service annual budget.

[11] The Dublin Fire Brigade Museum, established in 1985, was opened in its current site at the O'Brien Institute in 2008 and can be visited by appointment.