The Nation's Fire Department

The DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department is proud to be the only fire department tasked with protecting the residents and visitors of the Nation’s Capital. When DC's Bravest respond to a 911 call, they may provide EMS care to a dehydrated unhoused person on the street, or they may extinguish a fire in the home of a member of Congress. They approach both tasks with the same level of zeal and dedication. As one oral history narrator on this website said, they “protect the White House to the row house.” In fact, the Department was formed following an act of the United States Congress in 1864. Since then, its members have responded to fires and other incidents at the White House, the United States Capitol, the Supreme Court, embassies from around the world, and other federal and international institutions. They support national special events throughout the year, from large scale First Amendment demonstrations on the national mall, to the Inauguration of the President every four years. This duty is a special privilege and honor of the Department and its employees, one that this page celebrates.

Washington Delegation to Maryland State Firemen’s Convention at Havre de Grace, MD
Date: June 8 1916
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Date: December 21, 1929
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Fire in Senate wing, U. S. Capitol July 25, 1939
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Date: ca. 20th Century
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Date: ca. 20th Century
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Fire Engine and Hook-and-Ladder Truck Equipped with Christie Front-Drive Tractors
Courtesy of The Front Drive Motor Company, Hoboken, New Jersey
Date: ca. 20th Century
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Date: ca. 20th Century
Source: Kelleher Collection

Date: ca. 1970s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Date: ca. 1980s
Source: Kelleher Collection

Donald Edwards and Milton Miller with Al Gore

Date: October 6, 1993
Source: Kelleher Collection

1929 White House Fire

On Christmas Eve in 1929, a fire broke out in the West Wing of the White House, causing significant damage to the building. The blaze started in the attic, likely due to faulty wiring in the Christmas lights, and quickly spread through the wooden structure. Despite the quick response from firefighters, the fire destroyed much of the West Wing, including the Oval Office. President Herbert Hoover and his family were present during the incident but were unharmed. The fire led to extensive renovations, modernizing the White House with updated fireproofing and other safety measures.

The following are the photos and newspaper articles about this historic fire in the collection of the Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum There is also a thank you letter from President Hoover dated December 30, 1929.

Walter S. Mondale

White House ceremony making Vice President Walter S. Mondale an Honorary Chief of the District of Columbia
Fire Dept. and honorary member of the Friendship Fire Assoc. in recognition of his service over the years to American firefighters. Fire Chief Burton Johnson is making the presentation.

Photo Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum

Date: Ca. late 1970s

Ronald Regan

Date: 1983
Photo Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum