Boston Fire Department Engine 42 Rescue 2 District 9 Chief

This Boston Fire Department station in the Egleston Square area houses Engine 42, Rescue 2 and the District 9 chief. It is part of the city department that protects all Boston residents and the hundreds of thousands of people who work, shop and visit in the city. Crews respond to fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, medical assistance calls and large-scale events held in the city.

Engine companies are the department’s foundation, bringing fire engines and water to calls and making quick decisions on scene based on their training. Rescue companies are divided into heavy and light rescue and train for situations such as hazardous materials incidents. The department traces its roots to 1678, when Boston created its first public fire department with Thomas Atkins as chief, following earlier ordinances that banned thatched roofs and wooden chimneys.

What to Know

• The department’s Fire Prevention division inspects properties and issues permits, licenses and certificates.
• More than 150 civilian employees support the department’s firefighters and operations.
• A Boston Fire Cadet Program offers a path for people interested in becoming firefighters.
• The department publishes safety guides on carbon monoxide and on outdoor cooking and heating.