The South Bend Fire Department is comprised of 11 fire stations. Combined, the stations provide emergency response and staffing for several specialized areas. Other areas include a neonatal transport unit with Memorial Hospital and critical care transportation with St. Joseph Hospital. The department s history dates back to 1853 as a group of volunteer firefighters. In 1887, it became a full-time paid fire department. Located in South Bend, Ind., the South Bend Fire Department employs nearly 250 full-time firefighters in four divisions, and services a population of more than 100,000.
