Area Served[]
The Portland Fire Department (PFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the historic New England seafaring city of Portland, the seat of Cumberland County, in Maine. Portland is situated on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean. The city is named after the English Isle of Portland. Incorporated on July 4, 1786, the city encompasses an area covering 69.44 square miles and serves a population of approximately 68,408. Portland is bordered by the town of Falmouth to the north, Casco Bay to the northeast, the City of South Portland across the Fore River to the east, and the City of Westbrook to the west.
Mutual Aid[]
The Portland Fire Department has mutual aid agreements with the Falmouth Fire Department, the South Portland Fire Department, the Scarborough Fire Department, and the Westbrook Fire Department.
Department Profile[]
The Portland Fire Department is budgeted for 228 paid, professional firefighters in addition to a civilian staff of administrative and support personnel. It provides structural firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), advanced life support (ALS), technical rescue, hazardous materials response, marine rescue, aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF), fire prevention, fire investigation, code enforcement, disaster preparedness, and public education to the citizens of Portland. Daily staffing consists of 53 on-duty personnel, in addition, PFD has "on-call" firefighters on five islands in Casco Bay surrounding the city of Portland: Peaks Island; Great Diamond Island; Little Diamond Island; Cushing Island; and Cliff Island. PFD responded to 18,486 calls for service in 2022, the majority of which are medical calls.
Fleet[]
Currently, PFD is comprised of the following resources:
- 9 Engine Companies (including 4 Unstaffed/Call companies on the islands)
- 5 Ladder Companies
- 2 100' rear-mounts
- 2 105' rear-mounts
- 1 107' rear-mount
- 1 Rescue Company
- 1 Confined Space Rescue unit
- 1 Hazardous Materials response Company
- 1 Prime Mover
- 1 Wildland All Terrain Vehicle
- 3 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Companies
- 8 Ambulances
- 2 Wheelchair service units
- 2 Fireboats
- 1 Personal Watercraft
History[]
The Portland Fire Department can trace its roots back to 1768, when the first five "Fire Wards'" in the city were appointed. In 1787, Portland's first organized Fire Company was formed and was named the "Neptune". More companies followed: "Vigilant" in 1794, "Cataract", "Portland", "Extinguisher", and later the "Alert". Hand engines came into service starting with the "Deluge" in 1827 and the "Hydraulion" and "Niagara" in 1830. In 1827 the "Washington Hook and Ladder" became the City's first ladder company.
In 1831 the Portland Fire department was officially established by the Legislature. With increasing fires the Fire Companies became better organized leading to a numbering system starting in 1835.
In November 1859 Portland's "Machigonne 1," a first-size Amoskeag, became the first steam engine in the city. On November 21 it also became the first engine to respond as a permanent manned piece. A second steam engine was placed in service in 1861, the "Falmouth Steam Fire Engine 2", and assigned to Congress Street at Smith Street, but due to it's weight and mechanical problems it was out of service more often than in service. In 1862 the "Cumberland Steam Fire Engine Number 3" became the next commissioned steamer for the City of Portland and was stationed in the City's West End at 176 Brackett Street. The Portland Company built the next steamer in 1864, which was placed in service on Congress Street along with Ladder 1 as the "Casco Steam Fire Engine Number 5". The steam engines proved very useful to the PFD with companies requiring only 15-20 men as compared to the 60 needed for the hand tubs. Even though the steam engines were well built, they required mechanically skilled engineers at the stations 24 hours a day.
On July 4, 1866, Portland was devastated by a fire that destroyed a third of the city. Mutual aid was received from cities as far away as Boston, Massachusetts as the fire spread through the city. The next morning, 2 people were dead, 1500 buildings, including 3 Fire Houses, were destroyed and 10,000 people were left homeless.
The City and the PFD rebuilt after the fire. New stations were built, Congress Street and Market Street in 1866, and India Street in 1867. The PFD put the Alarm Division into operation in March of 1867. New companies were formed, Eagle Ladder Co. 2 in 1874, Hose Company 6 in 1881, Bramhall Ladder Company 3 in 1883, Chemical 1 in 1892, and in 1894 the PFD commissioned Engine Seven Fireboat. The fireboat was fitted with a steam engine capable of discharging 1,800 gallons per minute (GPM), and quartered at the Portland Pier from where it protected the city's busy waterfront.
By the late 1890s the Portland Fire department had become a well-respected fire department, well known throughout the Northeast for its skill in battling major fires and for its high fire activity. In 1899 Portland annexed the City of Deering, and with that the entire firefighting force of Deering was incorporated into the PFD.
1915 brought change to the PFD again. This time it was motorized equipment. Chief Butler began with a motorized Chief's car followed by a Deputy Chief's car in 1916. 1916 also brought the first motorized apparatus, Hose 8. Ladder 5 and Engine 1 in 1917, Chemical 1 in 1918, Ladder 3 in 1919, and Engine 4 in 1920. 14 years after it began the PFD became completely motorized with the purchase of Engine 6, a 1929 Mack triple combination pumper.
The 1930s through the 1960s brought steady change for the PFD. Engine 7 Fireboat was replaced with a the new "City of Portland" which had a pumping capacity of 6,000 GPM. Ladder 3 became the PFD's first steel aerial in 1936. 1938 saw the creation of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Rescue 1 went onto service in 1943, and in 1963 Portland's bravest were the stars in a movie about Firefighters called "24 Hours".
The 1970s and 1980s were a busy time for the PFD, as it was for many fire departments across the country. With fire calls up, the PFD put its first Snorkel into service in 1970. Air rescue units were added in 1973, and in 1975 the Medical Crisis Unit (MEDCU) was formed as a part of the Fire Department to handle the increasing need for EMS in Portland.
In 1990, the PFD added a third MEDCU unit, and in 1993 the "Joseph C. Cavallaro.", a 42' Duffy, went into service as a rescue boat for the waterfront and Portland's coastal islands.
In 1996, MEDCU and the Portland Firefighters became one. Both were now grouped into one union, the IAFF Local 740. Paramedics were cross-trained to become Firefighters. Most Firefighters are now licensed EMTs, and a group of Firefighters that are currently licensed Paramedics will be cross trained to possibly form a Paramedic Engine Company.[1]
Stations[]
| Station | Address | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deering Avenue Fire Station | 536 Deering Avenue | 1907-1967 | |
| Spring Street Fire Station | 157 Spring Street | Former Quarters of Engine 4, now the Portland Fire Museum |
Apparatus Roster[]
- All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
- Maine license plate denoted by ME#
Munjoy Hill Fire Station - 134 Congress Street (East End)[]
- Ladder 1 - 2017 Seagrave Marauder II (1500/500/100' rear-mount)
- MEDCU 1 (ALS) - 2018 Ford E-450 / Braun Chief XL Type III ambulance
- Ladder 5 (Reserve) - 2013 Seagrave Marauder II (1500/400/100' rear-mount) (Ex-Ladder 3, ex-Ladder 12)
Stevens Avenue Fire Station - 212 Stevens Avenue (Rosemont)[]
- Ladder 3 - 2022 Pierce Enforcer 7000 6x4 (1500/400/107' Ascendant rear-mount) (SN#36653)
- MEDCU 3 (ALS) - 2023 Ford E-450 / 2018 Braun Chief XL / 2025 remount
Allens Avenue Fire Station - 386 Allen Avenue (North Deering)[]
- Ladder 4 - 2000 Pierce Dash 2000 6x4 all-steer / 2020 Pierce refurb (2000/500/105' rear-mount) (SN#11764)
- MEDCU 4 (ALS) - 2020 Ford F-450 / Braun Type III ambulance
Central Fire Station / Fire Headquarters - 380 Congress Street (Downtown)[]
Built 1924
- Engine 2 (Reserve) - 2011 Seagrave Marauder II (1500/500/20A)
- Wheelchair 2 - 2004 Ford / National
- Engine 5 - 2022 Pierce Enforcer 7010 (1500/700/25F) (SN#36652-01)
- MEDCU 5 (ALS) - 2013 Chevrolet Express 4500 / 2014 Braun Type III ambulance
- Engine 7 (Reserve) - 2001 Pierce Enforcer (1250/750) (SN#12519) (Ex-Engine 1)
- MEDCU 8 (Reserve) - 2009 Ford E-450 / 2011 Braun Type III ambulance
- MEDCU 9 (Reserve) - 2013 Chevrolet Express 4500 / 2014 Braun Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 3)
- Car 9 (EMS Supervisor) - 2024 GMC Yukon XL
- Car 55 (Reserve Chief Vehicle) - 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility
Bramhall Fire Station - 784 Congress Street (West End)[]
- Hazmat 1 - 2007 Spartan / Hackney walk-around rescue (ex-Brunswick Fire Department (Maine))
- Rescue 1 "Citywide" - 2019 Pierce Enforcer 6x4 walk-around (SN#33449)
- Service Truck 1 (0287) - 201? Ford F-250
- Engine 2 (Reserve) - 2000 Pierce Dash 2000 (1500/750) (SN#11287) (Ex-Engine 6)
- Car 5 (Deputy Chief) - 2020 Ford Expedition
- Car 5 (Reserve) - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4
- Engine 6 - 2022 Pierce Enforcer 7010 (1500/700/25F) (SN#36652-02)
- Ladder 6 - 2024 Pierce Enforcer 6x4 aerial (-/-/100' Ascendant mid-mount platform) (SN#38827)
- MEDCU 6 (ALS) - 2021 Ford F-450 / Braun Type I ambulance
- Technical Rescue Trailer - Stealth
Forest Avenue Fire Station - 1600 Forest Avenue (Riverton)[]
- Prime Mover 1 - 2007 GMC 3500 Crew Cab
- Wheelchair 1 - 2008 Ford E-350 / National
- Engine 9 - 2011 Seagrave Marauder II (1500/500/20F) (Ex-Engine 4)
- MEDCU 9 - moved from reserve and put in service at Riverton during the summertime.
- Engine 10 (Reserve) - 1999 Pierce Saber (1500/750) (SN#10636 / SN#ED636) (Ex-Engine 11)
Ocean Avenue Fire Station - 580 Ocean Avenue (East Deering)[]
Peaks Island Fire Station - 129 Island Avenue[]
2 Public Safety Officers 24/7, and 5 dedicated FF's plus Lt. and Deputy Chief on the mainland
- Engine 12 - 2004 Kenworth T300 / Pierce Contender (1250/1000) (SN#15159-01 or 02)
- Ladder 12 - 2001 Seagrave Marauder (1500/500/75' Meanstick rear-mount) (Ex-Salt Lake City Fire Department, acquired 2024)
- MEDCU 12 - 2014 Ford E-450 4x4 / Braun / Quigley conversion Type III ambulance
- Engine 17 - 1992 Pierce Arrow (1500/750) (SN#E6652)
Great Diamond Island Fire Station - 4 Diamond Avenue[]
Unstaffed/Call
- Engine 13 - 1996 E-One Cyclone II (1250/750) (Ex-Engine 2)
- Tank 13 - 1989 Pierce Arrow (1500/500) (SN#E4644) (Ex-Engine 5)
- Forestry 13 - 2004 Kawasaki Mule 3010 4X4 ATV
- MEDCU 13 - 2017 Chevrolet Express 4500 / Braun Type III ambulance
Cushing Island Fire Station - Shore Road[]
Unstaffed/Call
- Engine 14 - 2003 Ford F-550 / E-One (1000/250) (Ex-Raymond Fire Department (Maine), acquired 2025)
Cliff Island Fire Station - 120 Church Road[]
Unstaffed/Call
- Engine 15 - 2004 Kenworth T300 / Pierce Contender (1250/1000) (SN#15159-02 or 01)
- Tank 15 - 1990 Mack Midliner / American (1000/750) (Ex-Saco Fire Department)
- MEDCU 15 (ALS) - 2017 Chevrolet 4500 / Braun Type III ambulance
Little Diamond Island Fire Station - 32 Sorrento Road[]
Unstaffed/Call
- Engine 16 - 1988 Ford F-350 4x4 / 1978 Saulsbury (350/300) (Ex-Engine 314, ex-Haddam Volunteer Fire Company)
Marine Division - 54 Commercial Street (Maine State Pier, Downtown)[]
1 officer/2 FF's on duty 24/7, cross staffs Engine 7 for alarms
- Marine 1 "City of Portland IV" - 2009 AF Theriault 65' fireboat (3000/-)
- Marine 2 "Joseph C. Cavalloro Jr." - 1992 Duffy 42' rescue boat / 540HP
- ST7 - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4 (ME#417-798)
Cliff Island[]
- Marine 3 - 1994 Kawasaki PWC w/portable pump
Air Rescue Division - 1001 Westbrook Street (Portland International Jetport)[]
Built 1973
- Red 1 (Deputy Chief) - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4
- Red 2 - 2011 Ford F-550 SuperCab DRW 4x4 / 1990 E-One RIV (ME#421-829) (ME#421-829)
- Red 3 - 2019 Rosenbauer Panther 4x4 crash tender (2100/1600/500 lbs. DC)
- Red 4 - 2024 Oshkosh Striker 1500 4x4 crash tender (1500/1500/200F/55' Snozzle)
- Red 5 - 2001 Oshkosh TI-1500 4x4 crash tender (1250/3000/450AFFF/500 lbs. Halon/55' Snozzle) (Ex-Red 4)
- Reserve - 2014 Oshkosh Striker 3000 6x6 ARFF (2000/3000/420F/450 lbs. PK/460 lbs. Halotron) (Ex-Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Fire Department, acquired 2025)
Station/Assignment Unknown[]
- 2016 Chevrolet Express 4500 / Braun Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 3)
- 2011 Pierce Velocity 7010 6x4 aerial (2000/500/105' rear-mount) (SN#24200) (Ex-Ladder 6, ex-Rockford Fire Department (Illinois), acquired 2019)
In Production[]
- Engine 9 - 2025 Pierce Enforcer pumper (1500/750/25F) (SN#38826)
Retired Apparatus[]
- 2018 Ford E-450 / Braun Chief XL Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 7)
- 2015 Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Ex-Car 9)
- 2015 Chevrolet Express 4500 / Braun Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 4, Ex-MEDCU 9)
- 2005 Chevrolet Kodiak C7500 23' box truck w/ hydraulic ramp (Ex-HazMat 1)
- 2004 Ford E-450 Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 3)
- 2004 Ford E-450 Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 13)
- 2003 Ford E-450 Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 4)
- 2001 Pierce Dash 2000 aerial (-/-/105' rear-mount ladder) (SN#12520) (Ex-Ladder 6)
- 1999 Pierce Dash pumper (1500/1000/20A/20B) (SN#10882-03) (Ex-Engine 11, ex-Little York Volunteer Fire Department (Texas), purchased 2009)
- 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe (Ex-Car 2)
- 1999 Freightliner FL 80 / PL Custom rescue (Ex-Rescue 1)
- 1999 Ford E-450 / PL Custom Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 6)
- 1999 Ford E-450 / PL Custom Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 7)
- 1999 Ford E-450 / PL Custom Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 15)
- 1998 Pierce Dash 2000 aerial (1500/400/75' rear-mount) (SN#EB519) (Ex-Ladder 3, ex-Ladder 12)
- 1998 Pierce Dash 2000 pumper (1500/750) (SN#EB520) (Ex-Engine 9, ex-Engine 2)
- 1995 Ford E-350 / PL Custom (Ex-MEDCU 5, ex-MEDCU 8, ex-MEDCU 9, ex-Confined Space Rescue 1)
- 1995 Ford F-700 (Ex-Unit 62)
- 1995 Chevrolet Lumina (Ex-Red 1)
- 1994 GMC 4x4 / E-One rapid intervention vehicle
- 1994 Pierce Lance aerial (2000/500/105' rear-mount) (SN#E8730) (Ex-Ladder 5, ex-?, acquired 2009)
- 1993 GMC Sierra Crew Cab (Ex-Service Truck 2)
- 1993 Pierce Arrow aerial (-/-/85' Snorkel) (SN#E7650) (2005 refurb) (Ex-Ladder 1)
- 1992 Chevrolet 3500 RIV (450PK) (Ex-Red 3)
- 199? Ford Explorer (ME#410-500) (Ex-Car 2)
- 199? E-One Cyclone pumper (Ex-Engine 1)
- 1989 Oshkosh T-3000 6x6 crash tender (1500/3000/450F/55' Snozzle) (Ex-Red 5 Reserve, ex-Red 3)
- 1989 Oshkosh T-3000 6x6 crash tender (1800/3000/405F/500 lbs. Halon) (Ex-Red 2, ex-Crash 2) (Sold to New Hampshire Fire Academy)
- 1989 Pierce Arrow aerial (1500/300/105' rear-mount ladder) (SN#E4919) (Ex-Ladder 5) (Sold to Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department)
- 1987 Ford Type II ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 12)
- 1987 Ford E-350 / PL Custom Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 15)
- 1986 Ford E-350 / PL Custom Type III ambulance (Ex-MEDCU 13)
- 1983 American LaFrance aerial (-/-/? rear-mount ladder) (Ex-Ladder 12)
- 1980 Mack MC pumper (1000/750) (Ex-Windham Fire Department (Maine), ex-Engine 14) (Retired 2025)
- 1979 Chevrolet C70 / FMC pumper (1000/500) (Ex-Tank 12)
- 1977 Mack CF pumper (1000/300) (Ex-Engine 13)
- 1977 Walter CT4 4x4 crash tender (1500/1500/200AFFF/52' Snozzle, 750 tip and 300 bumper turret) (Ex-Red 5 Reserve, ex-Red 4)
- 1977? Ward LaFrance Ambassador pumper
- 1973 International / Middlesex pumper (500/750) (Ex-Tank 14)
- 1972 Ford C-800 / Bean pumper (750/750) (Ex-Tank 13)
- 1970 American LaFrance 900 Series aerial (-/-/80' rear-mount Snorkel) (SN#14-1-2080) (Ex-Truck 1)
- 1968 Ward LaFrance 80 pumper (1000/500) (SN#80-252) (Ex-Engine 5)
- 1966 Mack C95 pumper (1000/1000) (Ex-Tank 15)
- 1963 Howe pumper (1000/500)
- 1963 American LaFrance pumper (1000/300)
- 1959 General Ship Company 65' fireboat (Ex-Engine 7 "City of Portland III")
- 1938 McCann pumper
- 1935 Seagrave aerial (-/-/? mid-mount ladder) (Ex-Ladder 1)
- 1931 Rice Brothers 90' fireboat (Ex-"City of Portland II")
- 1909 McCann horse-drawn hose wagon
- ca. 1859 Amoskeag 1st size steam pumper
- 1850 Crockett hand-drawn pumper
- 1835 Thayer hand-drawn pumper
- 1801 Baldwin hand-drawn pumper