In October of 1899, the City installed the telephone into the fire stations to complement the telegraph System in dispatching fire alarms.

As the nineteenth century drew to a close, in the forty-two years that the Division of Fire had been in operation, great strides had been made. From the manual pumping units to seventeen Steam Engine Companies, four Chemical Companies, five Hook and Ladder Companies and one Water Tower. There had been three hundred and thirty-seven multiple alarm fires and eighteen men had given their lives while performing their duties. The Department had initiated a program of changing from horse drawn apparatus to gasoline engines for pulling apparatus.

The 20th century was ushered in with a roar - of a motorized fire engine, although horse-drawn engines remained a common sight as well. In 1907, the Department (under Louisville's 9th Fire Chief, Fillmore Tyson, 1903-09) obtained its first motor apparatus, a gasoline electric vehicle for Truck Company #1. While horse-drawn engines remained in the majority until 1925, it was nevertheless becoming obvious that very soon the days would disappear when citizens, having heard a fire alarm, could dash to the nearest engine house, catch hold of a rope attached to the engine and run in front of the engine to the scene of the fire. (The first-engine fully operated by gasoline was purchased and put into service in November of 1917.)

In the next ten years, the Department showed great progress. Under the leadership of Chief Timothy Lehan (1910-17), who replaced Ben Dillion killed in an accident while answering a call, Louisville's first training school was established for the City's firemen. Lehan had visited New York City, and attended seven weeks of training himself. Upon his return he stated: "A man, before being appointed to the New York Fire Department, is forced to attend the school for firemen. There they teach him the tricks of the trade, how to hoist ladders, stretch hose, manage life nets, and in short, everything a fireman needs to know. In Louisville, our firemen are forced to acquire this knowledge by experience. And, of course, being new, they are not as good at the work as those who have had the benefit of experience." The Chief wasted no time in taking action. The training school was begun in 1919, and the first twenty-three graduates were honored on May 3, 1920. A small frame tower was constructed adjacent to Engine Company Number 17 at 1824 West Garland Avenue, its purpose to allow training under simulated conditions. Other developments included the arrival of the first motorized hook and ladder truck in 1915, and the establishment of the Fire Prevention Bureau in 1920 (during the years of Chief A. Neunschwander, 1917-24).

In October of 1921, the first Louisville Fire Prevention Day was observed, which later would become Fire Prevention Week. It is now annually held on or near the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

On December 14, 1923, Louisville had its first black Fire Company. Eight black firemen comprised the staff of Engine Company No. 8, under the leadership of Captain Jim F. McArthy, known to his fellow firemen as "Big Jim". A second black Company soon followed. It was Engine Company No. 9 located in the 600 block of Lampton, called the Five Brother's Home.

On March 17, 1925, horse-drawn equipment became obsolete when motorized vehicles replaced the last horse team. A team from "Big Jim's" No. 8 Engine Company was the last to see active duty.

In 1927, Rescue No. 1 was created, a Blood Transfusion Squad. Trained men from the Department manned the high-powered automobile truck. It had a Pulmotor and a means for giving first aid to accident victims with the help of a physician who was always on call. The Rescue Squad brought much needed aid to many of the fires.

In 1929, An elaborate electrical switchboard replaced the "fire tower". It greatly increased the speed of the Department. A pull on a lever in an alarm box anywhere in town showed up on a board with a light, at the same time sending a signal and printing the number of the box on a slip of paper. The operator on duty could then set the number on an automatic transmitter and alert every engine house, hook and ladder company, Salvage Corps, all police stations, the Gas and Electric Co., and the Newspaper Office.

New demands were placed on the firemen in 1938, as "night call" was strictly initiated. Firemen had to awaken, jump into a "night hawk" - boots and water proof suit - slide down the pole and hop on the engine, and all in twenty seconds! A fine was levied if a fireman failed to catch the engine before it sped away.

The same year saw more progress in the Department. A new aerial truck was purchased, along with an eighty-five foot extension ladder.

in 1941, the Department underwent two significant changes. After 53 years of service with the Louisville Fire Department, The Department's unofficial sidekick, the Salvage Corps, was disbanded. Its job had been to accompany the fire engines to the scene of the call and protect the fire-struck, victim's belongings with tarpaulins.

The firemen's dress code also changed. Safety Director H. Watson Lindsey instigated a new firemen's dress policy saying the old practice led to lack of uniformity and laxity in neatness. The dress code consisted of a coat, vest, trousers, cap and a blue or white shirt.

The large coats were worn to protect the men from he elements more than the fire. The fire coats now worn by the Division of Fire are made of a fire retardant material (Nomex is the trade name) that protects the firefighters from flash fires and also protects them from the elements.

The uniforms that are worn today consist of a dark blue shirt and slacks. The rank insignia is worn on the collar of the shirt. Also, the breast badge has the rank on it. The number of trumpets on the centerpiece denotes rank. One trumpet is a Sergeant (Apparatus Operator), two trumpets is a Captain (Company Commander), three trumpets is a Major (District Chief), four trumpets is a Lieutenant Colonel (Assistant Chief) and five trumpets is the Colonel (Chief of the Division of Fire).

The City purchased its first fire pumper with "centrifugal pumps." Until this time, the pumpers had a positive displacement pump. This meant that when the pumps were engaged, water was moving with pressure. These pumpers used lower R.P.M.'s on the engine, but if a "churn valve" malfunctioned and the hand line was shut off, the fire hose would burst from the pressure. The centrifugal pumps operated on higher R.P.M’s from the motor, but had 100% slippage in the pumps. This means that when the engine was pumping and all the lines were shut off at the pipes, the pumps would churn the water.

The Arson Squad of the Division of Fire unofficially began on July 15, 1945. Until this time the Fire Prevention Bureau was assigned to investigate suspicious fires. These investigations were conducted on a part time basis until a full time investigator was assigned on December 15, 1946. Training for the investigator was conducted at Purdue University, the only school in the nation to offer educational courses in Arson Investigation. On August 15, 1953, the first Arson Investigator with officer's rank was assigned. In January 1959, another Investigator was assigned. As the workload increased, the Arson Squad’s number of investigators increased. Most of these men were from the firefighting force. In 1971, civilian investigators were added to solve the problem of turnover of personnel. The strength of the Arson Squad has increased to the present level of supervisors and 10 investigators.

In 1946, the Division of Fire started a new trend in modern fire stations. It was a one-story building, with the sleeping area next to the apparatus bay. This eliminated the sliding of the pole at night from the dormitory. This reduced the number of injuries related to sprained or broken ankles, sprained backs, etc. This new station housed Engine Company Number 9 at 617 East Breckinridge Street.

In 1946, Fire Prevention Week was officially designated as the second week in October. This week was the Department's effort to make the citizens aware of hazards contained in their homes. It was a week dedicated to the public's responsibility for their own safety and an awareness of their Fire Department. There were parades and demonstrations that allowed the Department to show off their apparatus and also the skills of the firefighters who safeguard the public's safety and property. Also, Sparky, the Fire Department's mascot, was born. This was a firefighter dressed in a costume that resembled a Dalmatian dog. He drew the attention of children and adults alike with his antics, while actually teaching fire safety.

In the early fifties the positive displacement pumping units were phased out and all the first line pumpers were equipped with centrifugal pumps.

Another change that occurred in the late fifties was the mobile radios that were installed on the fire apparatus. Prior to this, once a Company was dispatched on a fire run, their only contact with the Communications Bureau was by a telegraph key inside the fire alarm box or by telephone. The radios gave the Department the flexibility for the Companies to move about their fire run districts for familiarization, driving practice and inspections. Also, it allowed for multiple company training. But the greatest advantage was constant contact with the Communications Bureau and the availability of the Companies to respond to fire.

New fire stations were constructed for Quad Co. No. 9 (presently Quint 9), Engine Co. No. 23, Quad Co. No. 10 (presently Quint 10), and Engine Co. No. 1. All four of the stations were basically the same one-story floor plan. The era of the slide pole is slowly disappearing from the Department

A new Training Center was constructed in 1957. It consisted of a five story brick building, with a classroom on the first floor, a model of a wet and dry sprinkler system and a concrete pad around the outside of the building. The location was Algonquin Parkway & Gibson Lane in the extreme west end of the City.Drill School usually lasted from eight- to twelve weeks, depending on the vacancies on the Companies and how much could be crammed into the "New Boys."

It was in the late fifties that all the Departments in Jefferson County got together. The Chiefs for the city, county and volunteer fire departments wrote an agreement, wherein they promised to help one another if and when the need arose. It was simply named Mutual Aid. It was a pact that said, "Help your neighbors."

In 1960 a tradition changed. The apparatus driver and operator had the working title of Engineer, which was a carry-over from the days of the steam Engine. This was changed to Sergeant, in keeping with the military ranks used by the first-line supervisors up through the rank of Colonel, who was the Chief.

On June 7, 1961 when a new alarm system was put into service. This system was operated by eight 6-volt batteries as opposed to the eight hundred 2-volt batteries, which had controlled the fire alarm boxes around the City previously. The alarm room that used to be cluttered with small batteries now is completely re-equipped and remodeled and contains only the emergency generator.

On June 30, 1962, the Division of Fire demonstrated their new Chemical Unit. It had the capability of being able to throw foam through a turret nozzle mounted on the top and through ground sweeps attached to the under carriage. It could also mix foam in a tank on the apparatus instead of in the old hopper type dry powder foam, or using the in-line eductors for hand lines and the cost was $32,000. This particular engine was especially equipped to fight oil refining, paint manufacturing, electrical and air plane fires and took a year to build.

In November of 1964, the Department established the Fourth District. The 65 square miles of the City were divided into four sections rather than the previous three sections. With less area to cover and shorter distances to travel, the District Chief would be able to reach a fire scene more quickly.

In 1964, applicants were told that they must be between 18 and 27 years old and needed a high school diploma or the equivalent. Also, they were to meet specific height, weight and health requirements. Salaries started at $157.44 biweekly and reached $205.44 after five years. The firemen expected to build strength from 480 to 586 men.

1965 was a year of change. Fire Headquarters at 12th & Jefferson had a new look. A two-story section was added to the old building. The Chief's office and the Fire Prevention Bureau had previously been crammed into a small area over the apparatus floor. Now the Bureau had a separate area where they could spread out. Also the Chief's Office and Staff had a section of their own in which to conduct business and the chief moved to his new Office above the Fire Prevention Bureau.

In 1965, a new fire station was constructed. It was the largest in the City. It combined three Companies in the downtown area; Engine Co. No. 5, a two piece Engine Company on Liberty, just west of First Street and Truck Co. No. 2 and Engine Co. No. 3, housed in a renovated church at 221 South Hancock, were moved to the new house in June.

During this year the City also purchased a Snorkel Apparatus, something quite different from the other equipment. It had an elevated platform that-had a reach of 75 feet. It replaced a senior Aerial Ladder Truck Company that had been in service since the late 1800's. This also stopped a practice of transferring Aerial Ladder trucks. Until this time new Aerial Ladder trucks went to Truck 1. The old Truck 3 was placed in reserve as an auxiliary.

On May 27, 1968, the City faced a civil disturbance in the West end of the City. The already dangerous job of the firefighter became more hazardous than ever. This disturbance lasted to the fourteenth of June. A new concept in firefighting in the Louisville area began. It was called Task Force. It consisted of a District, a pumper, a truck and another pumper in line. They made runs in single file, staying close together

Usually there was a jeep or a truck loaded with National Guardsmen in the rear. There were also National Guardsmen riding on the hose beds. The firefighters were pelted with brick and rocks, they were shot at and the only sleep came when they could grab catnaps on the hose beds of the pumper; yet they still maintained the protection of the citizens. In fact, they seemed to be drawn into a camaraderie that continued for years to come.

Also in 1974, the Department started purchasing diesel-powered apparatus with automatic transmissions. The Old Timers complained that the "automatics would not hold up under the strain. It takes a helluva man to drive and operate this equipment." There were no complaints regarding the power steering.

Another new piece of firefighting equipment arrived in the Division of Fire, the "Squrt" It eventually replaced the wagon of the two-piece Engine Companies. The Squrt was an articulating Water Tower with a reach of 551, operated from the rear running board and capable of throwing 1000 G.P.M.

In 1975, the Department was busy in the construction of a new fire station at 34th & Bohne that would combine a Police Substation and a Fire Station. There was a lot of controversy regarding the structures twin towers. Engine Co. No. 19 was placed in service at the location together with Truck Co. No. 5 (formerly Quad 5 of 20th & Virginia) and the First District Chief; the station was designated First District Headquarters.

On the east side of town, at 3401 Dutchman's Lane (Bowman Field), Quad Co. No. 10's fire station was being expanded to house the 5th District Headquarters. Engine Co. No. 3, housed at Floyd and Jefferson was moved to 3401 Dutchman's Lane and an Aerial Ladder Truck replaced the Quad'. Due to Budget restraints, the Fifth District was not funded.

In September of 1977, the City started the renovation of two of the older fire stations, Engine Co. No. 7 'on Sixth Street (the oldest operating firehouse in the country), south of York, and Engine Company No. 17 at 1824 Garland Avenue.

Chemical Unit #15 was formulated September 16, 1979 and consisted of 18 men. These original personnel were all volunteers who were experienced in residential firefighting and had some training with chemicals or showed some interest in chemical firefighting.

It was decided that the Chemical Unit would respond with an Engine Company on all runs and, therefore, was centrally located with Engine #15 at 1328 So. Preston Street. The Engine Company still maintains its normal duties in its district, but conducts inspections on any plant, city wide, that may have hazardous, flammable or toxic materials that may be a hazard to life or property. These inspections are normally coordinated with other fire companies in whose district these properties lie.

Since the Chemical Unit may be on standby at a scene from several minutes to several days, a van was assigned to carry an assortment of seldom-used tools. This van can is also used as a portable room in which to plan strategies, as a place to sit down and rest or to get warm, whatever the case may be. The van's interior was designed with these functions in mind by the members of Engine Co. No. 15 and has been named "Response Support Unit."

A new position of Safety Officer was established in the Division of Fire. The reason for this was due to OSHA taking a long hard look at the Fire Service. Their reasoning was that if an injury could be prevented, that's an additional man on the fire grounds. They were telling departments across the country that some of the risks that are taken should be avoided. One of the main jobs of the Safety Officer on the fire ground is to keep the unnecessary risk from being taken. Also, OSHA dictates to the Department the type of turnout gear that will be worn for structural firefighting. As a result of this ruling, the City has furnished fire suppression personnel with a fire resistant fire coat, nighthawks and a new fire helmet.

The Department also started a mandatory mask rule in which any firefighter entering an area that has contaminated air must wear at Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. OSHA has also ruled that in the near future the mask must be a pressure demand type mask.