The Charlotte Fire Department is said to be the largest Fire Department between Washington D.C. and Jacksonville FL.

The first mention of fire service in Charlotte NC occured in 1845 when the Board of Aldermen approved payment for the repair of a fire engine.

CFD is a highly respected agency of more than 1100 personnel (uniformed and civilian support staff) who offer fire prevention, firefighting, emergency medical care, technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, disaster response, public education and community service to a resident population of more than 720,000 people who live in the agency's almost 300 square mile jurisdiction.