[3][4] The department was created after bucket brigades were determined to be inefficient, and the two fire companies spent too much time fighting each other.

[3] The city replaced the fire bell that had been housed at a church and at the Old College Hall at Pacific University with an electric siren in October 1925.

[9] As of 1980, the Rural District covered 88 square miles (230 km2) and paid 39% of the combined entities' costs, though split capital expenditures at 50–50.

[13] The Spring Break Quake in 1993 damaged the main fire station on Ash Street in downtown, which was later repaired.

[14] In late 2006 and early 2007 the department was surrounded by turmoil concerning then chief Bob Mills as well as forgeries by Gary Clay Davis on fire inspection reports.

The main station is located in downtown Forest Grove on Ash Street, which also houses the 1907 American LaFrance steamer.