The first fire brigades established in Louisville were in 1780, two years after the city's creation.
The first firehouses in Louisville were volunteer fire departments scattered throughout the city until June 1, 1858, when the city took control and replaced the hand engines with five steam engines and volunteers with paid staff.
The Louisville Division of Fire operates 18 engine companies, 8 truck companies (including 3 quints), 2 rescue companies, 3 HazMat units, 3 fireboats, 1 ventilation unit, 5 utility mule ATVs, and numerous special, support, and reserve units.
Haz-Mat Company 1 is housed with Engine 1 adjacent the Louisville International Airport, Haz-Mat Company 19 is housed with Engine 19 in the city's west side, near the Rubbertown area, which is home to many industrial plants, and Haz-Mat Company 21 is housed with Engine 21 on the city's northeast side, near downtown.
Below is a list of stations and apparatus in use by the Louisville Division of Fire.