Our History
The Burlington Volunteer Fire Department was founded on May 3, 1943 when a group of concerned citizens met at the Boone County Courthouse to discuss The fire protection needs of their growing Community. The territory of the department was set at a three mile radius from the center of Burlington. Donations from the citizens provided $1,012, of which $700 was used to purchase the first fire truck, a 1938 Ford. A pump, hoses, and nozzles were also purchased. A building located behind the old courthouse on
Jefferson Street was donated by the Boone County Library Association. This became Burlington’s first firehouse. The first officer’s of the department were Chief A. E. Stephens, Assistant Chief Elza Poston, Captain Albert Kirkpatrick, Lieutenant J.K. Cropper,
Lieutenant Luther Smith and Lieutenant Sam Ryle.
In 1960 Ralph Stith donated an ambulance and this was the start of the Burlington Rescue Squad. In 1965 a new three bay firehouse was built on Torrid Street behind the Burlington Baptist Church. In 1988 the building was expanded to 6 bays to allow for larger and more modern equipment. In 1980 a KRS Chapter 75 fire-taxing district was established and the volunteer department became known as the Burlington Fire Protection District. This change became necessary when donations were no longer providing enough revenue to fund the daily operations of the department. Today the department collects approximately $1,750,000 from taxes to provide fire and emergency medical service to an area that covers 38.7 square miles.
In 1992 the department two employees to provide daytime coverage when most volunteers were at work. The first two employees were Chief David E. Biddle and Firefighter/EMT Matt Chastain. In 2000 the department started 24 hour staffing to cover the primary squad and handle single engine responses.In 2000 the department started 24 hour staffing to cover the primary squad and handle single engine fire responses.
In 2002 the department opened a new state of the art headquarters station located on Burlington Pike just east of Burlington. The new 16,500 square foot 8 bay station replaced the aging station that had originally been built in 1965 and could not accommodate additional 24 hour staffing. In 2003, the department started providing ALS coverage to the citizens of Burlington and today has at least two Firefighter/Paramedics on-duty 24 hours a day to cover both the primary and back-up squad.
Today we operate 3 engines, two ALS ambulances, a tanker, a ladder truck and a brush/air supply truck. On any given day you may see a fire engine, ambulance or other support vehicle in your neighborhood. These personnel may be conducting one of the 450 annual fire safety inspections at an area business, church, school or apartment complex located within our response area. They may also be testing and painting fire hydrants, mapping the many new streets, conducting a fire prevention program, or checking a problematic smoke detector for an elderly resident.
With your support, the Burlington Fire Protection District has grown to become on of the most effective departments in Northern Kentucky. The professional men and women of this department, augmented by dedicated volunteers, still hold dear the same principles that were present in the formation of this department so many years ago. Ever vigilant, we are committed to serving your fire and EMS needs in a timely, effective and professional manner.
Jefferson Street was donated by the Boone County Library Association. This became Burlington’s first firehouse. The first officer’s of the department were Chief A. E. Stephens, Assistant Chief Elza Poston, Captain Albert Kirkpatrick, Lieutenant J.K. Cropper,
Lieutenant Luther Smith and Lieutenant Sam Ryle.
In 1960 Ralph Stith donated an ambulance and this was the start of the Burlington Rescue Squad. In 1965 a new three bay firehouse was built on Torrid Street behind the Burlington Baptist Church. In 1988 the building was expanded to 6 bays to allow for larger and more modern equipment. In 1980 a KRS Chapter 75 fire-taxing district was established and the volunteer department became known as the Burlington Fire Protection District. This change became necessary when donations were no longer providing enough revenue to fund the daily operations of the department. Today the department collects approximately $1,750,000 from taxes to provide fire and emergency medical service to an area that covers 38.7 square miles.
In 1992 the department two employees to provide daytime coverage when most volunteers were at work. The first two employees were Chief David E. Biddle and Firefighter/EMT Matt Chastain. In 2000 the department started 24 hour staffing to cover the primary squad and handle single engine responses.In 2000 the department started 24 hour staffing to cover the primary squad and handle single engine fire responses.
In 2002 the department opened a new state of the art headquarters station located on Burlington Pike just east of Burlington. The new 16,500 square foot 8 bay station replaced the aging station that had originally been built in 1965 and could not accommodate additional 24 hour staffing. In 2003, the department started providing ALS coverage to the citizens of Burlington and today has at least two Firefighter/Paramedics on-duty 24 hours a day to cover both the primary and back-up squad.
Today we operate 3 engines, two ALS ambulances, a tanker, a ladder truck and a brush/air supply truck. On any given day you may see a fire engine, ambulance or other support vehicle in your neighborhood. These personnel may be conducting one of the 450 annual fire safety inspections at an area business, church, school or apartment complex located within our response area. They may also be testing and painting fire hydrants, mapping the many new streets, conducting a fire prevention program, or checking a problematic smoke detector for an elderly resident.
With your support, the Burlington Fire Protection District has grown to become on of the most effective departments in Northern Kentucky. The professional men and women of this department, augmented by dedicated volunteers, still hold dear the same principles that were present in the formation of this department so many years ago. Ever vigilant, we are committed to serving your fire and EMS needs in a timely, effective and professional manner.