Today’s Fire Communications Section has evolved many times from the original Fire Tower that was erected in 1845 on the roof of the Mechanics Institute Building at Sixth and Vine Streets in downtown Cincinnati.  This tower commanded a clear view of every part of the city.  At that time the Communications Personnel were Watchmen that were on duty around the clock.  When a fire was spotted; one, two, three, or four balls on top of the tower were illuminated depending on the district in which the fire was located.  The alarm was also struck on a mammoth bell to notify the companies of a fire and to let them know in which area the fire was located.

In May of 2005, the combined Fire and Police Communications Section moved to it’s new home that is conveniently located with the new Regional Emergency Operations Center and various other city and county agency offices.  In this new facility we have implemented 800 MHZ radio system technology; a new telephone system and are currently in the process of implementing new technology for our Computer aided dispatch system. 

As our fire department is known for its’ richness in tradition, the center is still known by many today as “The Fire Tower.”  In the new facility, “The Fire Tower” is once again located high above the downtown buildings and continues in its tradition of keeping “watch” over our city.