The Cincinnati Fire Department was the first to use steam to operate fire engine pumps. In 1852, with the co-operation of city fire engineer Robert Bray, Cincinnatians Abel Shawk and Alexander and Edminston Latta of the Latta Brothers Co., perfected the first steam engine pump for putting out fires. By 1863, Cincinnati had replaced all of its hand-engines with steamers.

The Cincinnati Fire Department was the first to use horses to pull fire engines.

Fire lanterns served as "headlights" for the engines before the days of street lights.

Firemen carried lanterns that helped them see through dense smoke.

In 1984, three African-American women by the names of Paula Duncan, Vickie Goodson and Pateeser Jackson became the first women hired in the history of Cincinnati's Fire Service.

The first African American male to join the Cincinnati Fire Department was Herbie Baines. In 1955, Baines was promoted to a specialty quad of firefighters called Squad 52. Upon enduring tremendous pressure from race relations during that era, Baines left the fire division. He later became a firefighter in the federal service, and has become one of the highest ranking firefighters in government service.