Tisbury Fire Department

Tisbury Fire Department Town of Tisbury Fire Department “We are absolutely at the mercy of a fire. The report contained two references related to the Fire Department. In 1894, Leovitt T.

There are no appliances for extinguishing fires in the place, and considering the frequency of terrible conflagrations, the apathy of our citizens upon this subject is one of the strangest things on record.”
Correspondent for the Gazette, 1873

The Beginning

According to Town Reports, the first mention of the Tisbury Fire Department was in 18

84. The fist was the sum of $2.00 for watching fires and labor and the second was Article 20 of the Town Report, to make appropriation and appoint a committee to purchase a suitable fire apparatus. The forming of the Tisbury Fire Department appears to be in response to the great fire of 1883, when on August 11th 40 to 60 acres of Tisbury burned from a fire that started on the north side of town resulting in the most destructive fire in the history of Martha’s Vineyard. For the next few years the town reports show minor activity, mostly related to the purchase of shovels, hoes and an axe. In 1889 the town report shows an expenditure of $50.00 for the rent of a room giving the Fire Department a place to hold meetings and store equipment. Norton, William Benchley, F. Horton Johnson and Norman Johnson were lists as the first Fire Engineers in the town of Tisbury. Today’s Fire Department

The Tisbury Fire Department provides fire protection, covering an area 6.56 square miles in size with an average elevation of 10 feet. The population is 3916 (2009 Census) resulting in a density of 597 people per square mile. The average population increase is approximately +4.3% every 10 years. In order to provide adequate fire protection for the town, the department is a call/volunteer department, equipped with (3) thee Engines, (1) one Ladder, (1) Rescue and (1) one Hazmat/Technical Rescue. All of which are housed in the new Emergency Services Facility located centrally in town at 215 Spring Street.

08/21/2026

A new mental health program, paid for by an anonymous donor, offers counseling to Island first responders in crisis and in their everyday life.

08/21/2026
Tisbury Fire conducted a water rescue drill Wednesday night focused on water sports. Huge thank you to Brock Callen for ...
08/13/2026

Tisbury Fire conducted a water rescue drill Wednesday night focused on water sports. Huge thank you to Brock Callen for the great insight and information on everything from approaching a party in the water to safely removing gear and preventing further injury.

8/3/26 - Photos from Company training Monday evening with Engine 622. This was a great opportunity for some of the Depar...
08/04/2026

8/3/26 - Photos from Company training Monday evening with Engine 622. This was a great opportunity for some of the Department’s newest members to go over equipment and practice basic techniques as they continue on through their probationary orientation & training.

Our members had the pleasure of making new friends from Camp Jabberwocky tonight. They were excited to check out the app...
07/28/2026

Our members had the pleasure of making new friends from Camp Jabberwocky tonight. They were excited to check out the apparatus and meet some of our firefighters. Thanks for stopping by!

07/24/2026

Tisbury Police Department

Address

Vineyard Haven, MA
02568

Telephone

+15086848049

Website

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