The Half Moon Bay Volunteer Fire Department first came into existence in 1879 and was known as “Hose Company No. 1”. Funds and equipment were scarce and consisted of 300 feet of hose, a few buckets, and some axes. In 1880 the community took up a collection and purchased their first hose cart. After a serious fire on Main Street, the community decided to continue a Volunteer Fire Department and pay for it by subscription instead of forming a Fire District or incorporating. On November 8, 1899 the first official meeting of Hose Company No. 1 was held in the IOOF Hall. Later in 1899, funds were authorized for the purchase of fire hydrants and more hose.
The Hose Company decided to hold a Masquerade Ball as a fund-raiser in 1900. This was the beginning of a long tradition. Later in 1900, the Hose Company bought a fire bell and another hose cart. The bell can still be seen at the corner of Main and Higgins-Purissima in front of Fire Station #40. The first firehouse consisted of a wooden shed on Kelly street and the volunteers met at the IOOF hall.
In 1926 a Fire District was formed and the department was reorganized. In 1928 the first pumper truck was purchased and the hose carts retired. In 1936 the site was purchased for the historical firehouse at 700 Main Street with the existing building being rebuilt. More equipment was purchased, and alarm boxes added.
In 1944 a new Fire District was formed that covered the area from Torres Lane in Moss Beach to Martins Beach in the South. Later that same year, the District hired its first professional firefighters.
In November of 1998, the District moved into a new fire station at 1191 Main St. and the old station at 700 Main was sold. It was renovated into offices.
In 1990 the Half Moon Bay Volunteer Fire Department was officially incorporated and made retroactive to its inception date of December 13, 1899.
It is a Not for Profit organization under IRS Rule 501 (c) 3.
The objectives of this Division are to operate within the boundaries of the Coastside Fire Protection District as a supplemental force to the regular paid department and to operate as a trained unit for suppression and non-suppression situations.
