The Hoboken Fire Department was formed in 1849. The first companies were Hoboken Engine Company No. 1, Oceana Hose Company No. 1, Excelsior Engine Company No. 2, Liberty Hose Company No. 2 and Washington Hook & Ladder Company No. 1. Later companies included Meadow Engine Company No. 3, Stevens Hose Company No. 3, Elysian Engine Company No. 4, and Empire Hook & Ladder Company No. 2. They started using paid firefighters in 1891.
The Hoboken Fire Department is a career fire department that employs around 115 firefighters protecting a population of 60,000 in just under 2 square miles, of which 1.25 square miles is land. Hoboken ranks as the third most densely populated city in the US. The Hoboken Fire Department has an ISO Class 1 rating.
