Dublin, California’s First Firefighters: Protecting a Growing Community

Long before Dublin, California became one of the fastest-growing cities in the Bay Area, it was a quiet agricultural town — and like any town, it needed protection from one of nature’s most dangerous forces: fire.

Dublin’s first firefighters were not the full-time professionals we know today. In the early 1900s, fire protection was a community effort. Local ranchers, farmers, and townsfolk banded together to fight fires using whatever tools were on hand — buckets, shovels, and courage. Back then, there were no formal fire stations, just neighbors helping neighbors.

The first organized fire protection in the Dublin area came in 1960, when the Valley Community Services District Fire Department was formed to serve the rapidly growing communities of Dublin and San Ramon. This marked a turning point: volunteer fire crews now had access to real equipment, training, and coordination. The fire authority eventually evolved into the Alameda County Fire Department, which now proudly serves the city with full-time crews and modern firefighting resources.

From humble beginnings to high-tech fire engines, Dublin’s journey in fire safety mirrors its transformation from a rural outpost to a vibrant suburban hub. And it all started with a handful of everyday heroes willing to stand between their town and the flames.

Learn more about these heroes and the equipment they used by visiting the exhibit created by Dublin historian Steve Minniear and funded by the Dublin Historical Society. The exhibit is located in the Little Classroom at the Dublin Heritage Park & Museums at 6600 Donlon Way, Dublin.

Exhibit on display until February 7, 2026, click here to learn more.