Fargo continued to be served by volunteer fire fighters until 1903. At that time the city decided to establish a paid, professional fire fighting department. J.W. Sutherland (of the Continentals) was appointed by Mayor W.D. Sweet as Fargo's first professional Fire Chief. Sutherland commanded three men who drove the Yerxa's, Continental's, and the Rescue Hook and Ladder's rigs. The paid firefighters worked with the volunteers.

By the end of the following year, 1904, the Fire Department had grown to ten men and the volunteer force ceased to exist. The professionals earned their $60 per month and worked hard for it. They were on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. It was not until 1919 that the fire fighters were allowed one hour off duty for each meal—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That same year, the Fire Department instituted a two-platoon system with two shifts of fire fighters working a 10-hour day and 14-hour night shift, platoons alternating shifts every two weeks. This was later changed to 24 hours on duty followed by 24 hours off duty. In another big change, 1919 was the last year for horse-drawn fire equipment.

Postcards from about 1910 showing the fire equipment in use at the time can be found on the pages about Roberts Street and the old library.

In the years since it became a professional fire fighting force, the Fire Department has grown in size and has become proactive in fire prevention. At the turn of the 21st century, the Fargo Fire Department has a staff of 75 firefighters, four assistant chiefs, three inspectors, fire marshal and chief. Fargo is one of only four fire departments in North Dakota that is paid, all the others are volunteer. The other paid departments are in Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot.

For an early history of the department, please visit their excellent web site.