In a nod to its longstanding efficacy in combating the twin scourges of fire and crime, the Fort Worth Fire Department celebrates the 140th anniversary of its Arson Investigation Division. The unit, pivotal in maintaining the safety of Fort Worth's denizens and its guests, traces its history back to July 15, 1884, with the inception of the “Fort Worth Fire Police.”
According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, the original contingent, numbering a mere six members sprang into existence after the passing of Ordinance No. XXXVI by the Fort Worth City Council, with its evolution observed over the years into what we now regard as the current FWFD Arson Investigation Division, the origins of this division shed light on the unyielding watch over neighborhoods from the Stockyards to Stop Six, and from Hell’s Half Acre to Camp Bowie where the mission of safeguarding residents from the havoc of crime and fire remains an unaltered calling.
As fire prevention remains a paramount concern for communities, the FWFD's Arson Investigation Division not only marks its remarkable journey of 140 years but also underscores the department's unwavering commitment to its foundational duties; these are duties encapsulated in what was once Article III, Section IV of their guiding ordinance, detailing the responsibilities of the early fire police force.
During National Arson Awareness Week, a reminder permeates through Fort Worth, of the invisible yet invaluable vigil kept by the men and women dedicated to arson investigation, their service often shadowed by the immediate drama of firefighting but no less critical, the Fort Worth Fire Department's message closing with a succinct plea for vigilant safety: "Stay safe, #fortworth."
