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

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

Despite having all the latest safety gear and being in a group of other experienced riders, as well as the assistance of an off-duty Truckee fire department medic, who performed CPR, Thomason did not survive.

From Los Angeles Times

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