About The Department

Welcome to the Portsmouth Fire Department, where a dedicated team of professionals stands ready to serve our community. With a team comprised of 40 Career Firefighters/EMTs, led by our full-time Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Training Captain, and supported by four full-time Civilian Emergency Dispatchers, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.

Our department offers a comprehensive range of services, including fire suppression, advanced life support (ALS) medical assistance, marine and water rescue, and technical rescue operations. Each of our line firefighters is trained as an Advanced Life Support emergency medical technician, delivering round-the-clock advanced medical care with two ALS medical rescues and one ALS fire engine.

Our members are extensively trained and certified in various technical rescue disciplines such as high-angle rescue, trench rescue, confined space rescue, water rescue, and hazardous materials response. This expertise allows us to respond effectively to a wide range of emergencies, ensuring the highest level of safety for our community.

In addition to emergency response, our Fire Prevention division, led by our full-time Fire Marshal, focuses on proactive measures to prevent fires and promote safety. Through life safety inspections, occupancy inspections, and community education programs, we strive to enhance fire safety awareness and reduce the risk of fire-related incidents.

At the Portsmouth Fire Department, we are dedicated to serving with professionalism, compassion, and excellence. Your safety is our priority, and we are honored to be entrusted with protecting our community.

Mission Statement

The Portsmouth Fire Department is committed to providing to the community needed fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue service, hazardous materials mitigation, public education, and fire safety inspections at the highest level attainable with available resources to meet the present and future needs of the community:

Professionalism – In our appearance, attitude, and standards

Openness – To our community without regard to age, gender, religion ethnic origin

Respect – For each other, our Department, the community and the citizens we serve

Teamwork – Encouraging unity, cooperation, and positive attitudes

Safety – To always work safe in any situation we face

Mentor – To serve as role models for fellow employees and the community at large

Outstanding – To always strive for the highest level of service

Understanding – To show kindness, empathy, and fairness to everyone we serve

Training – Always train and be progressive in professional development

Health – Personal and professional health are the highest priority for every employee

Department History

The Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department was first organized in 1935; prior to that time, there was no organized fire fighting force that was dedicated to protecting the town.  Oakland Farm, a Vanderbilt property located just south of Union Street, owned the first motorized fire truck in Portsmouth sometime during the early1920's.  A second fire engine was purchased by Glen Farm sometime during the last half of the 1920's.  It is believed that this purchase was made after one of the Glen Farm barns burned to the ground; despite the response of the Oakland Farm fire truck and a fire engine from the City of Newport.

The first home for the Portsmouth Fire Department was Quaker Hill Garage. Quaker Hill Garage was a service station owned by the Hall Family; the building also housed Hall Brothers Construction. The building is located across form Clement's Market and currently houses Aquidneck Construction. The Hall Brothers convinced town leaders to purchase a fire truck for the Town of Portsmouth; the truck they purchased was a 1922 Model T Ford Chemical Wagon. This vehicle was essentially a big chemical fire extinguisher. This fire truck and a fire engine purchased in 1935 remained at this location until 1940. In 1940 the department was moved to building next to the Portsmouth Town Hall.