Our Story

The Lincoln Fire Department has proudly served the community since November 14, 1896, when Lincoln Hose Company #1 was established as a volunteer organization. Like many fire services of the era, it was built on the dedication of local citizens who stepped forward to protect their neighbors. For more than a century, the department continued to evolve, balancing the strength of its volunteer force with the growing needs of a developing city.

By the late 1990s, Lincoln began transitioning from an all-volunteer service to a combination of volunteer and paid personnel, ensuring more reliable coverage for a rapidly expanding community. In 2001, the department reached a milestone by staffing its first 24-hour station, providing continuous protection for residents seven days a week. Over the following years, new stations were built, full-time captains and engineers were added, and the department continued to grow in both staffing and capability.

A major achievement came in late 2022 and 2023, when the department hired nine additional firefighters, allowing Lincoln Fire to move from a 2-0 staffing model of Captain and Engineer to a full 3-0 staffing model with a Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter on every engine. This transition provided three-person crews at Stations 33, 34, and 35, supported by a Battalion Chief, giving the community a stronger and safer level of service.

Today, Lincoln is one of the fastest growing cities in the region, yet it has proudly retained its small town feel. The Lincoln Fire Department reflects this same character, modern and professional in its operations while remaining deeply connected to the community it serves. Our 32 members staff three full-time engine companies and a Battalion Chief daily, responding to more than 6,500 calls for service each year. Guided by a Fire Chief and supported by a Fire Marshal overseeing prevention and development services, Lincoln firefighters remain dedicated not only to protecting life and property, but also to honoring the history and traditions of the department.

The department is also proud to be recognized as an ISO Class 2 Fire Department, a prestigious rating that places Lincoln Fire among the top fire protection agencies in the nation. This achievement reflects the department’s dedication to training, equipment, staffing, and emergency response, and it underscores our commitment to providing the highest level of service to the community.

That dedication extends beyond emergency response. From the annual Santa Tour to the Turkey Drive, which has supported local families for more than a decade, the Lincoln Fire Department continues to demonstrate its role as both a protector and a partner in the life of the community. We are proud to serve Lincoln and to carry forward the traditions of service that have defined our department for over 125 years.