The Portsmouth Fire Department provides fire protection, advanced life support ambulance, fire prevention, hazardous materials response, and special rescue services to the seacoast community of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The department provides these services through a compliment of forty-two firefighters, twelve fire officers, one fire inspector, three chief officers and an administrative secretary. The Portsmouth Fire Department responds to over 6000 emergencies a year. The types of emergency and community service requests consist of medical emergency responses, motor vehicle accidents, structure and vehicle fires, fire alarm activations and services related to weather emergencies such as flooding, lightning strikes and power lines down.

The department maintains three fire stations staffed 24 hours a day. Located in the historic downtown district, Station 1 houses the administrative and prevention offices, Engine and Ambulance Company 1 and command support resources. The department docks Fire Boat 1 along the waterfront off of Market Street. Station 2, in the southern portion of the city, houses the Ladder 2 Company, Ambulance 2 and one forestry unit. Station 3, at the Pease International Trade Port, houses Engine and Ambulance Company 3, as well as Rescue 3. A forestry unit and three reserve engines compliment the fleet.

Firefighting personnel are constantly engaged in firefighting, emergency medical and rescue training. Through the support of the community and city officials, along with the dedication of the firefighters, the department is staffed with paramedics, EMT-Intermediates, and NH Fire Standards and Training certified Firefighter Level II and Company Officers. Achieving and maintaining an educated and high caliber force ensures that the Portsmouth Fire Department is always poised to protect a diverse community

The Bureau of Fire Prevention is committed to the reduction of loss of life and the destruction of property from fire through providing fire safety education, code adoption and enforcement, property surveys, and investigation of fires.

Programs available through the Bureau include residential and commercial safety inspections, fire extinguisher and safety classes, and fire station tours.