The Daytona Beach Fire Department (DBFD) has a long and storied history. After the first big fire in 1898, several influential citizens formed a volunteer fire department. In 1902, the city purchased its’ first chemical fire engine. In 1909, the first paid fire chief, Henry T. Titus was hired. By the end of that year, Charles Messing replace Titus and was overseeing a department with about 65 volunteers. 1909 was also the year that the first water system was installed. The Water Works and the tower on Magnolia Avenue were erected. DBFD has continued to improve on the water system since that time and it has proven to be a valuable asset to the fire department.

In the beginning, the Light Plant Whistle served as the fire alarm. The amount of blasts determined in which district the fire was.  Ten years later, a bell tower was placed near the Fire Station. Today, DBFD uses a central dispatch center at the Volusia County Sheriff's Department that receives the call from the 911 caller. They, then, telephone the proper crews through a special line at the fire station.

The first motorized equipment arrived in Daytona in 1913. In the early 30’s DBFD had 7 pieces of motorized equipment. At this time, there were 16 paid men and 3 fire stations. In addition, during the 50’s, an aerial ladder truck arrived and a 90-foot radio tower was added to the main station. Today, DBFD has 26 pieces of equipment, including 5 motorcycles.

One of the 5 fire stations mentioned was at the airport. This station was given over to the county. Then, in the 1970’s, a fire claimed a 31 year old man’s life. A train caused a delay in the firefighter’s arrival. At the time, there was only one fire station on the west side of the railroad tracks. This lead to the building of the fire station at Mason Avenue and Jimmy Ann Drive. Today, there are seven fire stations covering continually expanding Daytona Beach. 

 There have been a few complex changes in the status of the Fire Department. In the mid-seventies, city management implemented a cross-trained "Public Safety Department." This combined the police and fire departments into one department. This system was costly and cross training lowered morale. So, fire and police separated into their own departments. 

  Again in the early nineties, city officials wanted a combined public safety department. This time they did not ask for cross-trained employees. Instead, the fire department just fell under the authority of the Police Chief with a Commander of the Fire Division under him. This only lasted until 1996. Once again, DBFD is its own fire department with Chief Gary Hughes charge.

FIRE CHIEFS OVER THE YEARS

Chief Henry T. Titus    01/1909 -
Chief Charles Messing    1909-1912
Chief W. E. French    1912-1919
Chief B. B. Hart    1920-1950
Chief Grattan B. Chapman    1950-2/19/55
Chief Charlie Lee    2/20/55 - 10/28/56
Chief Pete Chapman    10/29/56 - 10/8/58
Chief W. B. Terry    10/9/58 - 2/74
Deputy Director Frank DeBarr    2/74 - 9/79
Chief Mike McGibney    9/79 - 10/90
Chief Samual Roberts    10/90 - 7/92
Commander George Sewell    7/92 - 12/92
Commander Ian Gurney    1993 - 10/96
Chief Paul Skinner    1996 - 2002
Chief Lawrence W. Taft    2003 -2006
Chief Dwayne A. Murray 2007 - 2008
Chief Gary Hughes 2008 - 2010
Chief James Bland  2010 - Present