The MFB provided firefighting, rescue, medical and hazardous material incident response services to the metropolitan area of Melbourne.

The MFB was abolished in 2020 and its stations and firefighters absorbed into the newly created Fire Rescue Victoria.

Over a period of years a number of volunteer brigades were formed bearing the names of insurance companies and municipalities, and other institutions e.g. Carlton Brewery, Fitzroy Temperance.

In 1950, volunteer and partly-paid firefighters were discontinued in favour of solely full-time fire service.

The MFB responds to about 38,000 calls per year for a range of Emergencies including:[3] The Metropolitan Fire District (MFD) encompasses over 1000 square kilometres of Metropolitan Melbourne, with 47 strategically placed Fire Stations to ensure a timely response to emergencies.

The MFB operates a range of appliances to match the varied firefighting and rescue roles it provides.