The Nevada City Fire Department has been proudly serving the citizens and visitors of Nevada City since 1860. The department was organized in June 1860 as a Volunteer Fire Department and has been in continual operation since then. According to historical records, it was the women of Nevada City who took the first step toward the organization of the permanent Fire Department by holding a ball at the court house and later a theatrical show. Monies earned from these events went into a fund to be held in trust towards the formation of the Fire Department.

The Nevada City Fire Department provides emergency services to all residents and visitors that come to Nevada City on a daily basis. We respond to structure fires, emergency medical incidents, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, automobile fires and wildland fires.

In 2018 the Nevada City Fire Department and the Grass Valley Fire Department entered into a Shared Administration pilot program.  With the success of that program the two agencies fully merged in 2020 with Nevada City contracting for services through Grass Valley.  This has resulted in a single agency comprised of a Fire Chief, a Division Chief, a Battalion Chief, 7 Fire Captains, 16 Firefighters, 2 Prevention Officers and a Fire Mechanic.   Nevada City Station 5 located at 201 Providence Mine Rd. responds to approximately 1,200 calls for service a year and provides 24 hour, year-round service. The Fire Department currently operates a 2020 KME Type I engine, a 2005 Pierce Type I Engine, a 2011 HME Type III Brush Engine, and three Utility Vehicles to cover the City. We also respond to calls in other jurisdictions under a Mutual Aid and Auto Aid Agreements. Our Department has been out on numerous wildland fires and other disasters with the US Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry and the Office of Emergency Services.

With a current staff of a Fire Chief, two Fire Captains and three Firefighters the Fire Department responds to approximately 1,000 calls for service a year. The Fire Department responds from our primary station located at 201 Providence Mine Rd. and provides 24 hour, year-round service. The Fire Department currently operates a 2005 Type I Engine, a 2011 Type III Brush Engine, and three Utility Vehicles to cover the City. We also respond to calls in other jurisdictions under a Mutual Aid and Auto Aid Agreements. Our Department has been out on numerous wildland fires and other disasters with the US Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry and the Office of Emergency Services.

Funding for the Fire Department primarily comes from general fund revenues generated by taxes including sales tax and fees charged by the City. These funds are shared with Public Works, Water and Waste Water, and the Police Department. The Fire Fighter’s Association raises funds to supplement the department’s budget and has purchased special pieces of equipment such as heart defibrillators and radios.

Grass Valley Fire Department