Protecting the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood, Ladder 1 is stationed beside its sister ambulance MedCu 1 on Congress Street in the shadows of the Observatory. Ladder 1 is the first-due ladder on box alarms from Munjoy Hill to Bayside and through much of the Old Port, covering a mix of narrow streets and tightly-nestled multi-families and residential blocks and large, congested commercial spaces.

The Munjoy Hill Fire Station is a local staple and well-known stopping spot for many of the four-legged friends in the neighborhood. For most of the year the duty crew is often found sitting in front of the truck bays, saying hello to residents and visitors passing by.

Rescue 1 runs out of the Bramhall Firehouse beside Engine 6, Ladder 6, MedCu 6 and Car 5. Though stationed in the West End, Rescue 1 operates citywide, responding to City Boxes, Odor investigation calls, car crashes and any special rescue incidents across the city.

Rescue 1 is staffed by firefighters with specialized training that includes Hazardous Material Response, rope rescue, trench and confined space rescue, high and low angle rescue and rescue swimming.

Packed in a busy, large station, Rescue 1 crews can usually be found training and familiarizing themselves with the many different tools and hardware on their truck.

Protecting the Rosemont neighborhood, Ladder 3 runs out of its station on Stevens Ave along with its sister ambulance MedCu 3. Ladder 3 is the busiest ladder company in the city with a diverse call volume that includes high-acuity medical calls, highway responses and first-due assignments to a large geographical suburban area.

Ladder 3's still territory starts in Rosemont and branches out to parts of Libbytown and Thompson's Point, Stroudwater, Nason's Corner and outer Brighton Ave and Deering Center. With a truck equipped with a pump and tank water, the crews on Ladder 3 are ready and able to work direct fire attack or assume traditional ladder operations, as situations dictate.

Protecting the North Deering neighborhood, Ladder 4 is stationed on Allen Ave next to its sister ambulance MedCu 4.  Ladder 4 is the first-due ladder for a large portion of Deering, covering many parts of the East Deering and all of the Riverton neighborhoods, a territory largely suburban but with several large commercial sections too. Like Ladder 3, Ladder 4 is a quint and can also aid in fire attack.

Like most of the department's active companies, Ladder 4 has a long history. Organized in 1893 originally as Deering Fire Department Ladder One, it became Ladder 4 in 1899 and has resided in its current station since replacing Engine 8 in 2001.

Ladder 4's patch utilizes the city's symbol, the phoenix, a symbol of perseverance and rebirth.

Protecting downtown and the Old Port, Engine 5 is stationed at Central next to Car 9 and its sister ambulance MedCu 5. Engine 5 is the busiest truck in the city, consistently running nearly 4000 calls for service annually.

Engine 5 is first due for much of Bayside and the Old Port, and is the first-due engine on fire calls on Munjoy Hill. Engine 5's large call volume is a mix of medical emergencies and fire calls.

Central Fire Station, where Engine 5 calls home, was opened in 1924 and serves as the department's headquarters. The fire chief, assistant chief and division chief, along with administrative staff, are all located at Central. The over 100-year-old structure fits in appropriately with the historic buildings in downtown Portland.

Protecting the West End along with Ladder 6 and its sister ambulance MedCu 6, Engine 6 runs out of the Bramhall Fire Station. Engine 6 is the longest serving active fire company and is the second busiest engine on the department, responding to nearly 3000 calls in 2024. In addition to covering the West End, Engine 6 is also the first-due engine to the Rosemont and Stroudwater neighborhoods, responding with Ladder 3.

Engine 6's patch features the word Vigilant, recalling the namesake for the 1794 hand-pump engine that bore the company's origin. The company obtained its current designation in 1831. Though Engine 6 has had several homes through its long history, it has been located primarily in the West End.

Protecting the West End along with Engine 6, Ladder 6 runs out of the Bramhall Fire Station. Ladder 6 is the second busiest ladder truck in the city, and is first-due to much of downtown. The new Ladder 6, placed in service in 2024, is a 100' Aerial Tower and is the only platform ladder in the fleet and the first since Ladder 1's Snorkel was replaced in 2016.

Ladder Company 6 was founded in 1924 and was originally part of a double company with Engine 6.  In 1930 Ladder 6 became its own company and has resided at the Bramhall Fire Station since 1966.

Protecting the Riverton neighborhood, Engine 9 is stationed on outer Forest Ave between Morrill's Corner and Riverside. Engine 9's coverage area is a diverse, suburban neighborhood known for its mix of quiet residential areas with historic homes, green spaces, and convenient access to Interstate 95.

Engine 9 has seen a large rise in call volume recently due to increasing development in the area, including the city's newly-constructed Homeless Services Center on Riverside Street.

Engine 9 was founded as Hose Company Three as part of the Deering Fire Department in 1890 before becoming Portland Hose Nine in 1899 when the city annexed the town of Deering.

Protecting East Deering, Engine 11 is stationed on Ocean Ave. Engine 11's response territory is largely residential and suburban neighborhoods close to the Back Bay. The area offers parks like Payson Park, local businesses along Washington Ave, Cheverus High School, and the future Roux Institute campus on the former B&M Baked Beans Factory site.

Engine 11's patch features a Ram. The engine's central location allows it to respond quickly to most areas in Portland, and its company members are proud to boast that the engine responds on all Desk Boxes (possible structure fires) across the city.

Engine 11 was first organized as Deering Fire Department Hose Five in 1890 and Hose Company 11 before taking its current name in 1938.

Protecting Casco Bay and the city's waterfront, the Marine Division (Engine 7) is a company dedicated to our marine fleet (Marine 1, Marine 2 and Marine 3). The crew is stationed on the waterfront at the State Pier, ready to respond to any island or water-related emergency.

Our Marine Division is responsible for fire suppression both on the water and on the waterfront and EMS assistance and services on the city's islands. Additionally, the Marine Division is known as "Engine 7," and personnel can be called to cover the city with an additional engine during multi-alarm fires or other large-scale incidents.

The department's marine division dates back to 1894 and in March of 1895 responded to its first fire.

Protecting Portland's International Jetport and located next to the airport's terminals, the Air Rescue Division (Red Units) is a fully-staffed company of Air Rescue Certified Firefighters trained and ready to respond to aircraft-related emergencies. Staffed with a minimum of 1 company officer and 2 firefighters, the Red Units work with airport officials to ensure all travelers flying in and out of Portland have a safe experience.

The Air Rescue Division currently uses 3 crash trucks and 1 command vehicle.

Protecting Peaks Island, Ladder 12 is stationed with Engine 12 and MedCu 12 on Island Avenue. Staffed with a full-time ALS Fire Officer working with a trained member from the police department, Ladder 12 relies on an active call force on the island to assist with medical and fire emergencies. Peaks Island is a small, scenic island in Casco Bay accessible by boat or ferry with a mix of full-time and seasonal residents. A popular tourist destination in the summer, Peaks is home to around 1000 year-round residents with a seasonal population that can double or possibly triple its winter residency.

The crew on Peaks Island work with the Marine Division and "mainland" companies to treat and transport patients to the city's hospitals. Fire companies can also respond with the Marine Division to aid with fire suppression or other complicated incidents.

Fire protection on Peaks dates back to 1884. A hose wagon and two permanent members were assigned to the island in 1910, and the company became Hose 12.

Protecting Great Diamond Island, Engine 13 and MedCu 13 are covered by island volunteers who respond to any fire and EMS emergencies on the island.

Great Diamond Island is accessible only by boat, and the volunteers who man these companies are responsible for keeping island visitors and inhabitants safe while awaiting assistance from mainland companies, if necessary.