1801 “Q” Street
Open Daily 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Groups Welcome
441-8360

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History
In 1886 the City of Lincoln departed from the all-volunteer fire department and started with six full-paid men. They manned two stations and four pieces of apparatus - a hook and ladder truck, a hose cart, a steamer, and a chief’s buggy.

By contrast, today’s Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department employs 294 personnel in 14 fire station located throughout our city of 225,588 citizens in an area of 79.55 square miles. The 14 engine and 4 ladder apparatus are staffed by a captain, fire apparatus operator, one firefighter, and one firefighter/paramedic (engines only). The city is divided into 167 fire response zones with an average response time to emergencies of 4.13 minutes from the time of dispatch. Two deputy chiefs are always on duty, and split the city East and West for operational response activities. The span of time has seen much growth and change, and has left a rich heritage of traditions, memories, and memorabilia.

This heritage holds a great deal of meaning for the men and women of Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department, and in 1982 they built a museum in Fire Station #1 at 1801 “Q” Street. The museum is a collection of equipment, material, and photographs which cover the life span of the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department from the days of horse-drawn steamers to the present. Here a visitor can step back in time and get an insider’s view of what it’s been like this last 100 plus years to be a firefighter. Through the photographs and equipment displays you’ll see how Lincoln Firefighters met the constant challenge of saving lives and property.

The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and of course groups are welcome.

So come and visit! We’ll look forward to seeing you.

You Will See...

• 1911 American LaFrance - the first motorized fire engine in Lincoln, and the last of it’s kind in the United States still in working condition.
• World Championship Belt - Won by the Fitzgerald Hose Company in 1886.
• Fire Trumpet - Used by Lincoln’s first Fire Chief.
• Uniforms and Helmets - From the turn of the century to the present.
• Firefighting Equipment - A variety of items used throughout LFR’s history.
• Hundreds of Pictures - A visual documentary of fires and firefighters, of the people and equipment that have made us what we are.