Spotlight on Excellence: April's Featured Firehouse:

Baltimore City Fire Department Rescue 1

Rescue 1

Rescue 1 is located at:

15 South Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201
Phone Number: (410) 396-5167

Rescue 1 responds to incidents city wide in Baltimore including, Ridgely’s Delight, Seton Hill, Sharp Leadenhall, Barre Circle, Brooklyn, Carrollton Ridge, Union Square, Cherry Hill, Curtis Bay, Federal Hill, Hollins Market, Lakeland, Locust Point, Middle Branch/Reedbird Park, Mount Clare, Mount Winans, Otterbein, Riverside, South Baltimore, Washington Village/Pigtown, and Westport.

The Firehouse is known as "John F. Steadman Station"

Rescue 1 responds to approximately 4,050 incidents each year.

Out of the 4,050 runs Rescue 1 responded to, a total of 298 were structural fires.

History of Rescue 1

Rescue 1's first quarters were built by the Howard Fire Company in 1830. The Firehouse at 102-104 North Paca St. was taken over by the newly formed Baltimore Fire Department. Eventually, Engine 1 was organized and moved in with the Assistant Chief of the Western District on February 15, 1859. Hook and Ladder 2 would later join them. In September of 1859, a new house adjoining to the current quarters on this site for Engine 1 was built.

Then in 1908, Christmas came early for Engine. On December 21st, Engine 1 moved into their brand new quarters at 323 North Paca St. House Box 338. Engine 1 would call this house a home until August 13, 1973.

During WW1, the BCFD lost a substantial number of members to the service and more left to work in the munition plants. Chief August Emrich made Engine 1 into a Flying Relief Squad, which would be the last due Engine on every 2nd alarm city-wide, responding to all types of incidents that required specialized equipment.

On March 21st, 1919, Engine Company 1 was issued a new 1919 Mack AC with a used Hose Wagon body, and Chief Emrich’s Relief Squad went into service. This makes Rescue 1 one of the oldest rescues in the country. The first 12 men were handpicked by the Chief. They included: Lt. August C. Hartman, Lt. Harry Binau, Driver Oliver Drury, Asst. Driver Frank Dougherty, Pipemen Harry A. Dolle, John B. Brady, Bartley Halloran, Albert Russell, George McLain, George Torney, Bernard Sauer and Harry V. Berry. Members were trained in ropes, torch cutting, resuscitation and other specialized skills.

In 1925, the shop fabricated a new body for Engine 1, which contained additional compartments. On August 13, 1941, Engine 1 placed in service a 1941 American LaFrance. Shop #33. Their first walk-in style wagon was a 1950 Mack 85. Shop #69 was placed in service on October 25th, 1950.

On June 30th, 1971, the last four Hose Companies were disbanded and Engine 1 assumed its rightful name: Rescue Company 1. The first Captain of the Rescue was Robert Meushaw. On this same day Engine 1 and Engine 59 were (re)organized. Engine 1 was quartered on Paca Street with Rescue 1. 1973 saw a major upgrade of the fleet. Part of that large order that year was the 1973 Mack MB 600/Swab Rescue delivery. Placed in service on August 13, 1973. Shop # 77. This new apparatus marked the end of Rescue 1 on North Paca Street. The apparatus was too big for the bay door, resulting in the relocation of Rescue 1 to the yet-to-be-opened John F. Steadman Station. Steadman Station was built on the former site of the Bromo Seltzer Warehouse (next to the historic Bromo Seltzer Tower) and the quarters of Engine 15 at 15 South Eutaw Street. When the new station opened, units included: Engine 15, Engine 23, Engine 27, Engine 59, Truck 2, Water Tower, Rescue 1, Battalion Chief 5, Division Chief 2, AirFLEX 1, Ambulance/Medic 1 and a brand new High Pressure Pumping Station.

Throughout the years, many of the companies changed. Engine 27 moved out, Engine 38 moved in, Engines 15 and 38 closed, Truck 2 closed several times and even became Aerial Tower 102 at one point. A 4th shift was added. There have been numerous schedule changes including the 2-2-4 and the “Houston”. One thing that has stayed consistent is the run volume downtown. Since the start, Steadman Station consistently ranked in the Top 3 busiest stations in North America, with many years as #1.

In the 1990’s the company received a new apparatus. On October 6th, 1993, Rescue 1 placed in service 1993 E-One. Shop # 75. This wagon was replaced in 2002 when a 2002 Spartan/Rescue1 non-walk-in was placed in service. This wagon would later be refurbished and placed back in service with a Seagrave chassis. On October 5, 2016, Rescue 1 returned to the walk-in world with a 2016 Pierce Arrow XT, which is their current reserve.

During the 2000’s, the BCFD was the host agency for Maryland USAR Task Force 2, which the members of the company played a vital part of. Company members have also played a primary role in the Baltimore HEAT Team and the Special Rescue Operations Team.

Company Staffing

Rescue 1, 365 days a year, ensuring the safety of the city of Baltimore, MD.

Rescue 1 has 24 dedicated members who are ready to risk their lives at any moment to protect and serve their community.

Rescue 1 rides with 4 members per 24-hour shift.

Rescue 1 is continually ready for urgent situations. Their outstanding service demonstrates their bravery and unwavering dedication.

The company just celebrated its 50th year at Steadman Station, with over 100 years of Rescue work and over 160 years in the Fire Department. Rescue 1 currently runs box alarms in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Battalions. Any box alarm that the company is not due on the initial dispatch, they respond to on the Working Fire. As Baltimore’s only Rescue Company, they respond on all Rescue alarms city-wide for all rescue disciplines. In addition to those normal duties, they also respond to any incident involving the Subway and all Hazmat Box Alarms.

Rescue 1 also operates the BCFD’s Collapse Rescue Unit: Collapse 1. This apparatus is equipped to handle complex trench and collapse disasters, which they regularly respond to. Today, they share Steadman Station with: Engine 23, Battalion Chief 6, AirFLEX 1, Hazmat 1, Safety Officer 4, EMS 6 (EMS District Officer), Medic 1, and Ambulance 23.

Follow Rescue 1 on Instagram by clicking the link below to keep up with them.

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The following members of Rescue 1 have made the ultimate sacrifice. We honor their lives and work everyday.

Pipeman Micheal Halloran
Box 415 -August 3, 1885

Pipeman James T. Braden
Box 327 -July 19, 1898

Firefighter Eric Schaefer
Box 9-9-8623 -September 16, 1995

Captain Donald Hubbel
February 1, 2008