150 Years of Heroism: Uncovering the Hidden History of San Rafael's Bravest

Founded in 1874 the San Rafael Fire Department has evolved over 150 years to consistently provide effective and compassionate service in our community A notice in the Dec 3 1874 Marin Journal sought volunteers for a new San Rafael fire company formed by William Miller and J.B. Rice A week later the newspaper listed the men who had stepped up to answer the call Among them was a dedicated group of 37 individuals who would become the backbone of the newly formed department

From its humble beginnings the San Rafael Fire Department has grown to become one of the most respected fire departments in the Bay Area Today the department operates out of six fire stations and responds to over 8,000 calls each year But despite the many changes that have taken place over the years one thing remains constant the commitment of the department's firefighters to serving and protecting the community

One of the key milestones in the department's history was the construction of its first fire station in 1883 The station which was located on C Street was state-of-the-art for its time and featured a large clock tower and a team of horses to pull the department's fire wagons The department continued to grow and expand over the years with the addition of new equipment and technology

Another major development in the department's history was the introduction of motorized fire engines in 1913 This brought significant improvements in response times and allowed firefighters to access more areas of the city The department continued to modernize over the years with the introduction of new technology such as emergency medical services and hazardous materials response

But the San Rafael Fire Department is more than just a group of highly trained firefighters it is also an integral part of the community The department's firefighters are dedicated to building strong relationships with the public and to educating residents about fire safety and prevention Through community outreach programs and public education efforts the department is working to create a safer more aware community

TODAY AS THE SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF SERVICE THE DEPARTMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO ITS CORE VALUES OF COURAGE COMPASSION AND PROFESSIONALISM the department's firefighters continue to answer the call with courage and integrity putting the needs of others before their own

As we look back on the department's rich history it is clear that the San Rafael Fire Department has earned its place as one of the most respected fire departments in the country The department's commitment to service compassion and bravery is an inspiration to us all