fire department

American  

noun

1. the department of a municipal government charged with the prevention and extinguishing of fire.

2. the personnel in such a department.

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fire department British  

noun

1. the department of a local authority responsible for the prevention and extinguishing of fires

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Etymology

Origin of fire department

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

A man in a baseball cap added, “The fire department is just as helpless as we are. The gas line broke, too, and the gas is feeding the flames.”

From Literature

The man was spotted about a quarter-mile offshore, according to the fire department.

From Los Angeles Times

Aside from the three fatalities, four people were hospitalized including two men, both 35, who were in critical condition, and two other men, 37 and 38, who sustained minor injuries, according to the fire department.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s unclear whether they were hit inside or outside the store, according to Lyndsey Lantz, a public information officer with the fire department.

From Los Angeles Times

The Berlin fire department last Friday reported a daily record of 2,270 emergency calls, media reported.

From Barron's