Organized fire fighting began in West Sacramento long before the city’s incorporation.  The township of Washington (Broderick) was laid out on February 22, 1850 and was the first organized community in the West Sacramento area. At that time the population was small and the need for an organized fire department was not necessary. As Washington’s population and commerce grew, so did the size and frequency of the fires. In the 1890s a series of fires swept through the community with devastating results. On August 5, 1896 the town narrowly escaped total destruction by fire. The fire started in the two-story residence of John Churchill and spread rapidly, five residences and two large barns were destroyed. A strong wind was blowing and at one time a dozen residences were ignited by flying embers. Washington did not have an organized fire department and had it not been for the prompt assistance rendered by the fire crews of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the entire town would have been consumed. On August 7, 1896 a mass meeting of the citizens of Washington was held at the town hall to devise ways and means toward purchasing fire equipment and forming an organized fire brigade. From that meeting the first organized fire department was founded. Records from 1898 show that the town of Washington had a volunteer fire department with a fire chief and 33 members. Apparatus listed for the department at that time consisted of two hand hose carts with 350 ft. of 2 ½ in. cotton jacket rubber lined hose on each, one 50 gallon hand chemical cart, and one hand hook & ladder cart. All of the apparatus was located at the town hall.

Later, as the population extended towards the town of Bryte, the need for additional fire protection was evident. In 1917, Bryte was added to the list as another volunteer fire department. Both Washington and Bryte were divided into fire districts. Hand drawn carts and leather buckets slowly gave way to motorized fire apparatus with gasoline engines. In 1933 the community of West Sacramento built its first volunteer fire engine. This was done without any direct district costs. Also, in 1933, the citizens realized they needed more fire protection. The West Sacramento Land Company and the volunteer Fire Department raised funds to purchase a second hand 1926 Federal truck with a Dodge Brothers motor. It had a 300 gallon per minute pump, with a 150 gallon water tank. It carried a few hundred feet of 1 ½ inch hose and some nozzles. This fire engine became known as Old Mary and is proudly displayed in the Burgers and Brew restaurant. The Westgate (West Sacramento) Fire District was the next fire district formed in 1939. All three districts co-existed until 1979 when they merged into the East Yolo Fire Protection District. In 1987 the three districts incorporated, becoming the 444th city in California and the West Sacramento Fire Department was finally formed.

Today the West Sacramento Fire Department employees 65 full-time employees, has five fire stations located throughout the city, and is dedicated to protecting life, property, and the environment from fire, medical, hazardous materials, and other natural or man-made disasters through aggressive prevention, training, public education, and emergency response.