The Mount Vernon Fire Department has been providing emergency services to the city for over 100 years.

The Mount Vernon Fire Department was formed in 1891 and purchased that same year was an American LaFrance  steam powered fire engine and two hand drawn hose carts with 800 feet of hose, enough to reach from one end of town to the other.

In the fall of 1920 a new City Hall and Fire Station was built on the present site of City Hall. The front door to the fire station was facing north near the Broadway entrance to City Hall. 

In December of 1920, a new American LaFrance motorized fire engine arrived by rail and came complete with the latest fire fighting equipment for that time. Engine Company No.1 was placed in service on January 5^th  1921, with two full time drivers who established the inception of the career fire department in Mount Vernon.

The total department budget for 1921 was $1800.00.

In 1964, the department  consisted of 9 career firefighters and approximately 15 volunteer members. Apparatus at this time included 4 fire engines (one was the 1920 LaFrance), 1 aerial ladder truck and a rescue truck. The department responded to approximately 150 incidents per year.

With the city growing to the north and east, the need for a second station was critical.The citizens passed a bond initiative that paved the way for a new 3 bay station and a new fire engine. In 1973, station no. 2 opened on east College Way and 6 new career firefighters were hired. Incidents for 1973 had increased to 300. The Fire Department staff at that time consisted of approximately 16 career firefighters and 20 paid on call volunteers.

In 1991, the Mount Vernon Fire Department celebrated it's centennial with an open house. Pictures of the original dept. members, old station 1, historic fires and apparatus were on display. Over 400 quests attended and the department's newest apparatus, a 1990 Pierce engine, was displayed.

As the city grew so did the Fire Department. In 1993, 6 additional career firefighters were hired to staff  the ladder truck. The Department was also outgrowing it's present facilities, and in 1994 a bond  was passed  to build two new stations. Station 3 was constructed on East Division Street and placed in service in 1997. Station 2 was relocated to it's present location on North LaVenture Road in 1999.  The new station 2 houses a small museum where the original 1920 American LaFrance  is on public display. Fully restored over a 10 year period, the LaFrance is now used for parades and fire prevention activities. Vintage  photos and the brass pole from the original station 1 are also displayed in the museum.

Today, department staffing consists of 35 career personnel and approximately 10 on call volunteers. All three stations are staffed with a minimum of two personnel 24 hours a day  and responded to 4,000 emergency responses in 2009. Department apparatus now consists of 4 engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue truck complete with air compressor and extrication tools, and 3 Med/Aid vehicles.