| 1631 | First fire prevention ordinance banned thatched roofs and wooden chimneys. |
| 1653 | Contract made with Joseph Jynks for fire engine to be brought to fire. |
| 1678 | Building laws required slate or "tyle" roofs and brick walls. |
| First paid (call) municipal fire department organized. |
| Thomas Atkins first fire chief. |
| Building provided to house fire engine. |
| 1715 | Boston had 6 engine companies. |
| 1718 | First mutual fire society for salvage of members' goods from fires. |
| 1799 | First leather fire hose imported from England. |
| 1837 | Present fire department organized. |
| 1851 | First municipal fire alarm telegraph system installed with alarm office in city hall tower. |
| 1859 | Steamers replace hand engines. |
| Permanent engineers, drivers, and firemen appointed. |
| 1863 | Adjustable fog nozzles placed in service. |
| 1871 | 11-inch fire hose introduced and pronounced success by Chief Damrell. |
| 1872 | Famous Boston fire led to appointment of a board of fire commissioners. Fire destroyed 776 buildings, 13 killed, and a $75,000,000 loss. |
| 1873 | Boston's first steam fireboat. |
| Self-propelled steam engine towing hose reel placed in service. |
| 1874 | Permanent District Chiefs appointed and a number of companies fully manned by permanent men. |
| 1875 | Locks changed on fire alarm boxes to reduce false alarms. |
| First fire department repair shop under a superintendent of apparatus and fire alarm. |
| Dial lines installed for communications between headquarters, alarm office, and District Chiefs. Telephone not invented until 1876 |
| 1876 | Aerial ladder placed in service. Earlier "Skinner" ladder place in shop. |
| Relief values installed on all engines and shutoff nozzles issued to all engine and hose companies within a year. |
| Library books issued to all fire stations for study and recreation. |
| "All out" signal 2-2-2-2 established for use on multiple alarms and was not used for first alarm fires. This apparently released call men required to standby. |
| 1877 | Signal 1-1-1-1 given on tower bells and gongs directed companies responding to disregard saving the horses for long runs. |
| Bangor extension ladders issued to ladder companies replaced spliced ladders. |
| 1880 | Legislation passed to permit underground electric wires. |
| New pension law and Fireman's Relief Fund organized. |
| Fire Department owned 260 spittoons and 30 manure forks. Sale of manure credited to Fire Department. |
| 1881 | Sliding poles installed. |
| Bunkrooms placed on apparatus floor in several stations to speed response. |
| 1882 | Electric firehouse gongs installed. |
| Private fire alarm boxes installed in schools, theaters, stores, etc. |
| 1883 | First aid kits distributed to fire companies. |
| 1885 | Horatio Ely pensioned after 15 years service. Pension $1.00 a day. |
| Life nets issued. |
| 1889 | Thanksgiving Day fire required 8 alarms and outside aid, 2 fireman killed, widows got $300 pensions. |
| 1895 | Board of commissioners replaced by single fire commissioner after Roxbury conflagration which destroyed 216 buildings including a fire station during previous year. |
| 1901 | Rubber tires installed on fire apparatus. |
| 1904 | Detailed mutual aid plans adopted with 8 adjoining departments. |
| 1905 | Fire Chief had electric automobile. |
| Thirty-two automobile fires in city during year. |
| 1908 | Annual pressure test of hose (200 psi) instituted. |
| 1914 | Civil Service exams instituted for all ranks below Chief of Department. |
| 1921 | High pressure pumping stations placed in service replacing old salt water fire main system supplied by fireboats. |
| 1925 | Last fire hoses retired. |
| | Radio installed in fireboats, chiefs' cars, and rescue companies. |
