Our Story
Where Courage, Craft, and Community Come Together
Service
Honoring those who ran toward danger.
Built to Serve, Preserved to Inspire
The Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum, located inside the beautifully restored 1927 Fire Station No. 3, honors the city’s firefighters and preserves nearly a century of courage, craftsmanship, and community pride.
Designed by Francis L. Abreu, this Mediterranean Revival landmark in the Sailboat Bend Historic District has evolved from a working firehouse into a living museum that connects generations through history, architecture, and heart.
Visitors can explore vintage fire engines, original call logs, and authentic firefighter gear that bring Fort Lauderdale’s firefighting story to life. Every brick, brass fixture, and artifact reflects the dedication of those who built — and continue to protect — our community.
Foundations & Heritage
In the aftermath of the 1926 hurricane, Fort Lauderdale rebuilt with determination. Among its proudest achievements was Fire Station No. 3, completed in 1927.
Blending Spanish tile roofs, arched windows, and hand-crafted details, the building stood as a symbol of progress and service for the growing city.
When newer stations replaced it in the early 2000s, the story might have ended — but the community refused to let its legacy fade. In 2005, a group of firefighters, retirees, and neighbors came together to restore the firehouse and form the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum, Inc. Their mission: to preserve history and inspire future generations.
Our Mission
To preserve Fort Lauderdale’s firefighting heritage, educate the public about fire safety and local history, and inspire future generations to serve their community with courage, compassion, and civic pride.
Our Core Values
History is only alive when it is shared – and we share ours with everyone who walks through these doors.
Explore the Building
Step inside a piece of living history. The museum’s original Cuban tile floors, wood-beam ceilings, and brass fixtures reflect 1920s craftsmanship at its finest. Each room tells a story — from hand-pulled hose carts to mid-century engines that once roared down Las Olas Boulevard.
Historic Apparatus & Interactive Exhibits
Climb aboard a restored engine, try on vintage firefighter gear, or slide down the brass pole where crews once stood ready. Every exhibit reveals a chapter of innovation, bravery, and service — connecting visitors to the people who shaped Fort Lauderdale’s firefighting legacy.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum thrives through collaboration with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, the Fire Department Payroll Deduction Program, and generous community partners.
While not fully community-funded, every contribution directly supports preservation, education, and public access — ensuring this historic firehouse continues to inspire the next generation.
Ways to Get Involved
Why It Matters
When you step through the doors of historic Fire Station No. 3, you enter more than a building — you step into nearly a century of courage, craftsmanship, and community.
From families and school groups to history lovers and future firefighters, every visitor adds a new spark to this story. Together, we keep the flame of service alive at the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum, where the past inspires the heroes of tomorrow.
Experience the past. Celebrate the heroes. Inspire the future.
A Living Tribute
Since 1927, this firehouse has stood as a symbol of service and resilience. Thousands have passed through its doors — firefighters, families, and students — all finding a spark of inspiration to carry forward.
7,251
Days since founding