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

For decades, St. Michael’s had its own fire department and ambulance department, staffed largely by student volunteers and serving nearby towns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The police, ambulance, fire department, cyclone-warning system and, of course, Zoël Manguillier, the guy to call when the groom drops his wedding ring in the Indian Ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

After the sun came up, "we watched the water recede little by little" before the fire department arrived, Mikey said.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Safety controls, validated by the fire department, must be implemented for the storage of this fuel, the businessman told AFP, but "the institutions themselves are not able to clearly outline all the steps."

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

“Ice brought the lines too close to the trees. We’re keeping an eye on it, since the fire department is too busy to answer the phone.”

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows