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Leesburg Fire Department marks 150 years of service
Summary
The Leesburg Fire Department is celebrating its 150th anniversary. In an interview, Fire Chief Joe Mirra traced the department's evolution from volunteer bucket brigades in 1875 to a modern agency covering a large mutual-aid area, and highlighted enduring values and future goals.
Katie Sartoris, host of Inside Leesburg, opened the program by announcing that the Leesburg Fire Department has turned 150 this year and introduced Fire Chief Joe Mirra and Deputy Chief Ryan Henry as guests.
Mirra told Sartoris the department began in 1875 as a grassroots volunteer force that relied on bucket brigades. "Local citizens, volunteers, if you will, and they just formed a bucket bridal," he said, describing the informal origins. He emphasized how much has changed since those early days: "Time is our enemy," he said, noting the absence of early communications technology such as telephones or radios.
Mirra outlined major operational milestones in the department's history. He said the department ran ambulance services in the 1970s and 1980s using modified vehicles and later became the first fire department in the county to provide advanced life support (ALS) before other agencies adopted the standard. He also described geographic growth: "the city limits are over 25 square miles" and, through agreements, the department assists across "almost 100 square miles." Those figures reflect the department's expanded service footprint.
Mirra framed the department's legacy around people and culture rather than policy documents: "service, honor, traditions, brotherhood, bravery" are passed from generation to generation, he said. Looking ahead, Mirra said his goal for new firefighters is to "take what we have accomplished so far and just take it to the next level" by amplifying strengths in training and technology.
The episode closed with Sartoris thanking Mirra and previewing a forthcoming conversation with Deputy Chief Ryan Henry that will focus on how the department is continuing to build on that tradition.
