LAFDHS is a volunteer led nonprofit organization with mission to memorialize Los Angeles Fire Department’s fallen firefighters, preservation of historical apparatus, and educating the public on fire and life safety.

The history of the Los Angeles Fire Department is one of the most unique and inspiring in U.S. fire service history. After being an all-volunteer department for nearly two decades in the mid-19th Century, the department became an official agency of the City of Los Angeles on February 1, 1886. Since its founding 139 years ago, the Los Angeles Fire Department has stood as one of the most exemplary and courageous public service agencies in history. The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society provides a place to remember and memorialize those members of the Los Angeles Fire Department who gave their lives so that others might live.

LAFDHS brings history to life at three unique locations. The Fallen Firefighters Memorial and Museum is situated in the heart of Hollywood, just outside Fire Station 27. The Harbor Museum is at Old Fire Station 36 in San Pedro, and the historically significant and beautifully renovated “Ralph J. Scott” Old Fireboat 2 sits behind active Fire Station 112 in the West Harbor. Together, these sites honor the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of Los Angeles firefighters—offering visitors a powerful connection to the City’s fire service history.

A primary charter of LAFDHS is the preservation of artifacts and intellectual property of LAFD and those related to the fire service in general. LAFDHS has accumulated a wide variety of artifacts ranging from firefighting equipment from the 1880’s to more than 30 pieces of motorized apparatus including some extremely rare fire engines and fireboats. We also have thousands of photographs and hundreds of hours of film and video tapes. Several artifacts and the photo archive will also be showcased on this website that is currently under renovation. Please come back and visit us often as there will be many changes and additions to our content.