The Tallahassee Fire Department provides fire protection and Advanced life support first-response emergency medical services to the city of Tallahassee, Florida and Leon County. The department dates back to 1902, when the first fire department was established by the city. However, some fire protection service existed before that; in 1872 the Colored Hook and Ladder Company responded to the fire which destroyed Lincoln Academy, after the white company, citing "insufficient hoses", refused to respond.Julianne Hare, Historic Frenchtown. Heart and Heritage in Tallahassee, Columbia, S.C., History Press, 2006, , p. 53.
Stations TFD has 16 fire stations to serve and protect 702 square miles in Tallahassee/Leon County with a population of almost 300,000. The department has 313 certified firefighters, primarily in the Suppression Division, who respond to 36,000+ incidents every year. Certified individuals serve as command staff and there are 17 general employees who perform administrative services or support.
Each year, TFD typically responds to 400 structure fires, (residential & commercial), 200 vehicle fires, 900 brush/rubbish fires and 1100 vehicle rescues.
In September 2025, the Tallahassee City Commission terminated the contract to provide fire services to Leon County after a series of disagreements. The contract is scheduled to run through 2028, giving the county time to decide on an alternative fire services provider; the Interlocal Agreement requires the city to sell fire stations 10-14 back to the county including vehicles and equipment at a depreciated value.
As of 2026, the planned station on Lake Bradford Road has been significantly delayed, with discussion still ongoing.
Training
The Tallahassee Fire Department operates a training facility on Municipal Way in the western part of the city, located on the long-closed Dale Mabry Army Airfield. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection performed a site reconnaissance and site assessment in June 2019. Lab results indicated high levels of PFOA and PFOS. In March 2020 the Florida Department of Health sampled nine potable wells around the training area and one was found to exceed Health Advisory Levels.
Stations and apparatus The TFD has 16 stations spread out across the city and split into 3 battalions. Fire Station Number Image Address Engine Company Truck Company Rescue Unit (rural response mini-pumper/light rescue) Battalion chief Unit Special Unit 1327 North Adams St Engine 1 Engine 101 Truck 1 Battalion Chief 1 Tanker 1, Fire Med 1 (citywide fire medic supervisor) & Air 5 (cascade unit) 22805 Sharer Rd Engine 2 Truck 2 Battalion Chief 2 HazMat 2 33005 South Monroe Street Engine 3 Truck 3 Battalion Chief 3 HazMat 3 & Mass Casualty Unit (with trailer) 42899 West Pensacola StEngine 4Truck 4 Brush 4, Air 4 (cascade unit) & USAR (with trailer) 5Tallahassee International Airport Crash 51, Crash 52 & Crash 53 62901 Apalachee Pkwy Engine 6 Brush 6, Boat 6 7 2805 Shamrock St Engine 7 82423 Hartfield Rd Engine 8 93205 Thomasville Rd Engine 9 (Haz-Tac ALS Engine) 105323 Tower Rd Engine 10 118752 Centerville Rd Rescue 11 Tanker 11 124701 Chaires Cross Rd Rescue 12 Tanker 12 131555 Oak Ridge Rd Rescue 13 Tanker 13 1416614 Blountstown Hwy Rescue 14 Tanker 14 151445 Bannerman Rd Engine 15 Brush 15, Boat 15 16913 Easterwood Drive Engine 16 Truck 16
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