fire department

noun

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

2. the personnel in such a department.

fire department

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire department¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

County fire officials said multiple fire departments remained on the scene late Thursday morning.

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Genethia Hudley Hayes, president of the Board of Fire Commissioners, which provides civilian oversight for the fire department, said at Tuesday’s meeting that she had not seen the text messages quoted in The Times.

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Tony Gene Broxton, a former fire department bookkeeper from the Florida Panhandle, was indicted in 2013 on federal charges of theft of public money and making false statements.

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A watch deputy at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station said the driver crashed into a light pole and the vehicle was engulfed in flames when the fire department arrived.

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Regardless, the county fire department said it would tap a third party for an independent investigation.

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