New Orleans Fire Department records

Collection

Identifier: CA-PD

Staff Only

New Orleans Fire Department firefighters battle a blaze at an unidentified location; from the Special Collections Photographs.

Scope and Contents

Records produced by the New Orleans Fire Department including monthly fire reports, day books, fire alarm books, fire record books, and office records. Please see each collection series to the left for their respective dates, extent and access copies.

Dates

Creation: 1900 - 1984

Creator

New Orleans (La.) Fire Department (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Available to registered researchers by appointment. Materials are partially available on microfilm.

Requesting Materials

Materials Request Guidelines

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction or use of materials is prohibited without the permission of the City Archives & Special Collections. Please review the Archives' Permission to Publish note.

Biographical / Historical

Prior to 1891, New Orleans had a volunteer fire department -- the Firemen's Charitable Association -- which contracted with the Commission Council for its services on a 5-year basis. On September 29, 1891, when the Firemen’s Charitable Association's contract was about to expire, the Council took the opportunity to organize a municipal, paid fire department by approving ordinance 5614 C.S., "creating a paid fire department for the city of New Orleans, providing for the organization of a Board of Fire Commissioners, regulating their duties and defining their powers." (The Firemen’s Charitable Association continues today to operate Greenwood and Cypress Grove cemeteries.)

The Board, elected by the Council, consisted of 10 members, one from each municipal district, two at large (one from above Canal Street and one from below Canal Street), and the Commissioner of Police and Public Buildings (ex-officio). The Mayor also served as ex-officio president of the Board. The ordinance divided the City into five fire districts and empowered the board to “locate houses for engines, chemicals and trucks, organize companies and battalions to work the apparatus for the extinguishment of fires, and establish the grades and distinctions among the uniform force of the department. Former officers and members of the FCA were retained in their positions “as far as practicable” and insomuch as they conformed with the terms of employment and the qualifications set up in the ordinance.

The formal transfer of fire services from the Firemen’s Charitable Association to the New Orleans Fire Department took place on December 15, 1891. In 1894, the Louisiana Legislature passed Act 83, creating a municipal fire department for New Orleans in conformity with the existing municipal ordinance.

The original five fire districts were as follows:

First District: Second and Third Municipal Districts
Second District: First and Fourth Municipal Districts
Third District: Sixth Municipal District
Fourth District: Fifth Municipal District
Fifth District: Seventh Municipal District

The boundaries of these districts changed over time, as did their number (there were nine districts by 1973). Additional information on the geographic boundaries of the fire districts during the time covered by the Fire Reports is available in the City Archives.

Extent

350 Volumes (Day Books)

25 Volumes (Monthly Fire Reports available on microfilm)

2 Linear Feet (Office records) : 2 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

Researchers should also consult the City Documents Collection for materials published by the NOFD, including annual reports, department histories, and newsletters.