Ocoee Fire Department Celebrates 100+ Years of Service

The Ocoee Fire Department has served the community for over a century, evolving from an all-volunteer operation to a professional agency with multiple stations and expanded services.

The department began on West McKey Street under Fire Chief "Frog" Vandergrift. Harold Maguire built the first fire engine locally, which operated until 1960. In 1971, Ocoee hired its first full-time firefighters as the city grew. The department opened Fire Station 25, its headquarters, on South Bluford Avenue in 2004.

The department now operates Stations 26, 38, and 39. It holds an Insurance Services Office Class 2 rating and has been accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International since 2018. In 2019, the department launched fire-based EMS transport.