Louisville Fire Department

08/29/2026

08/15/2026

Congratulations to Recruit Class 191 on earning the title of Louisville Firefighter! Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this moment. Welcome to the family. Stay gracious. Stay curious. Stay tenacious. The journey is just beginning.

08/03/2026

08/01/2026

The Louisville Fire Department proudly recognizes and celebrates the retirement of these dedicated members who have collectively served our community with professionalism, courage, and commitment for more than two centuries.

Thank you for your years of sacrifice, leadership, and unwavering dedication to protecting the citizens of Louisville. Your impact will be felt for generations to come.

Congratulations on your well-earned retirement, and best wishes for the next chapter of life.

Major Kyle Martin
Major Chris Verdi
Major Tony Downes (Retired 2/1/26)
Captain Chad Herndon
Captain Michael Simmonds
Captain Corey Biddle
Captain Wes German
Sergeant Paul Murphy
Sergeant Donnie Glasscock
Sergeant Jacob Souza
Firefighter Dennis Lage
Firefighter Benjamin Vardeman (Retired 7/1/26)

07/31/2026

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At 8:04 p.m. on July 30, 2026, Louisville Fire Department crews were dispatched to reports of multiple fires in the alley near the 200 block of Ottawa Avenue.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 8:09 p.m. and encountered several detached garages actively burning, along with multiple trash fires in the surrounding area. Due to the scope of the incident, an additional engine company was requested to assist with firefighting operations.

Crews made an aggressive attack on the fires and worked simultaneously to extinguish burning garages and numerous trash fires throughout the alley. Firefighters also conducted searches of the surrounding area to locate and extinguish additional spot fires. Residents in the area helped identify several small fires, allowing crews to quickly prevent further spread.

The fire was brought under control at 9:01 p.m. Firefighters remained on scene performing overhaul operations and checking for hidden fire extension.

The incident involved four engine companies, two truck companies, one battalion chief, four staff officers, and 32 firefighters.

Due to multiple reports of suspicious activity, Louisville Fire Department Arson Investigators responded to the scene. A suspect was taken into custody, and the incident remains under investigation as a suspected arson case.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

07/26/2026

Louisville, KY (July 26, 2026) – Louisville Fire Department crews responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of South 23rd Street on Saturday afternoon and successfully contained the fire despite significant fire involvement and extension into a neighboring structure.

At approximately 1:01 p.m., firefighters were dispatched after smoke was observed coming from a building at 222 S. 23rd Street. Initial arriving companies encountered heavy fire conditions in the rear of the structure. The fire had already extended into an adjacent residence located on the delta side of the building.

Firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack utilizing multiple 1¾-inch handlines and two large diameter master streams. Heavy fire conditions were encountered in the second-floor "camelback" portions of both structures. Crews worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent further extension.

Approximately 40 firefighters, including personnel from five engine companies, three truck companies, two battalion chiefs, and staff officers, operated at the scene. Additional resources included an extra engine and truck company.

Residents of the neighboring exposure building were safely evacuated by firefighters. Three adult occupants were displaced, and the American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance.

The fire was brought under control at approximately 1:44 p.m.
There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Louisville Fire Arson Investigators.

07/25/2026

Louisville, KY (July 25, 2026) – Louisville Fire Department crews responded to a reported structure fire in the 600 Block of S. 36th Street at approximately 5:56 a.m. this morning.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 5:59 a.m. to find heavy fire showing from the front of an occupied single-family residence. Crews quickly deployed multiple handlines, entered the structure, and brought the fire under control at 6:21 a.m.

All occupants had safely exited the residence prior to firefighters' arrival. Firefighters also rescued one cat from the home. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

The fire was contained primarily to the front portion of the structure. As a result of the incident, one adult resident and one cat have been displaced.

A total of 25 firefighters, including four engines, two ladder companies, and one battalion chief, responded to the scene.

The Louisville Fire Department's Arson Bureau is actively investigating.

No additional information is available at this time.

07/23/2026

Preparing for our Netflix documentary
on going green and getting rid of carbon paper.