Station 3
20 Mansfield Avenue
The Firehouse:
Fire Station Number 3 is the oldest operating firehouse in Vermont and one of the oldest in the country. The original Fire Station near this site burned down, leading to the decision to establish a career Fire Department. In 1895, the Burlington Fire Department was founded, and this station was placed in service. It originally housed two horse-drawn apparatus, a steam engine, and a hose cart. In later years, a motorized engine carried both the pump and the hose, and a horse-drawn 85" spring-loaded aerial ladder was added. A motorized tractor later replaced the horses pulling the aerial ladder.
The men and women at Station 3 respond first due to the historic Hill Section of Burlington, The University of Vermont, and The University of Vermont Medical Center. These are two of the largest employers in the State of Vermont, with just under 22,000 people going to school and working there. Station 3 is home to Engine 3 and is staffed with three assigned firefighters. However, due to staffing challenges, Engine 3 is usually staffed with only 2 firefighters.
Engine 3
Engine 3 is a 2011 E-One Cyclone 1500gpm pump that also provides advanced life support care. It responded to 2273 calls in 2022 and is capable of fire suppression, paramedic-level emergency medicine, ice water rescue, and tactical EMS. Engine 3 also works closely with the student-run University of Vermont Rescue Squad, which provides primary ambulance response to campus.
