San Jose Fire Department celebrates 170th anniversary

Learn how you can celebrate our local fire department’s exciting milestone.

A black-and-white photo of a San Jose Fire Department firetruck dating back to 1880-1910.

Check out this early photo of a San Jose Fire Department vehicle dating back to the late 1800s.

Photo via History San José

170 years? Wow, we really are old.

When California became a state in 1850, San Jose became the first unincorporated city in the state. And with a growing population came a need for essential services.

Just four years later, San Jose was officially incorporated + the San Jose Fire Department was formed. The date is commemorated on badges worn by local firefighters today.

This Saturday, Jan. 27, the San Jose Fire Department will celebrate its 170th anniversary at Old Fire Station One on Market Street.

Stop by from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a free pancake breakfast, followed by a ceremony recognizing the long history of our city’s fire department — RSVPs are encouraged.

(Psst... The San Jose Fire Museum will also have its soft opening starting Saturday, Feb. 3.)

More from SJtoday
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.
Check out these 11 yoga studios around the great 408, which offer everything from beginner Vinyasa to full-fledged hot yoga + pilates.
Prepare for fall weather in San Jose, CA, with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
U-Haul rolled out info on 2024 moving trends — and now you just might know a little more about your new neighbors.
Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in San Jose, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, bloody marys, and more.
Check out these five restaurants in San Jose cooking up their own versions of the classic breakfast staple.
Whether you’re looking for impressive latte art or a late-night caffeine fix, these are eight of the most unique cafes in the Valley of the Heart’s Delight.
Here’s your guide to social clubs, public events, and more local ways to make pals in the great 408.
Learn about the late San Jose-raised rapper + producer who has a lasting legacy in the great 408, the Bay Area, and the hip-hop world as a whole.
Vicki Chang, also known as “La Vix,” is a professional breakdancer + member of Team USA — and hails from the great 408.