About Us

Pierce City Fire Protection District

Pierce City Fire Protection District covers approximately 90 square miles spanning 3 counties in SW Missouri. We are an all hazards fire district providing services with an all volunteer staff to approximately 3,400 citizens. Pierce City Fire operates out of four stations placed strategically throughout the district. The history of the fire department in Pierce City can be traced back as early as 1880 when records show the first mention of a Fire Brigade. As the booming railroad town began to grow, public services were needed and in 1886 a building housing City Hall, the Fire Department, and the Police Department was constructed at 107 Walnut St. This building is still standing today and is a registered State of Missouri Historical building. 

In 1891 the town of Monett had a large hotel fire and having no organized fire department at the time, requested resources from Pierce City. A special train was dispatched from Monett to Pierce City which shuttled a hook and ladder cart, a hose cart, and the entire Pierce City FD to assist with the blaze. By 1902 the fire department was listed as having two hose carts, a hook and ladder cart, and 1000’ of 2 ½ hose. In the same decade Pierce City FD, along with “departments from all over the word” participated in the 1908 “World Famous Joplin Fireman’s Tournament” where, in addition to the traditional muster games of the day, some of the first horse vs. motorized fire engine races took place. The winter of 1918 saw the Pierce City High School burn down as temperatures plummeted to -15 degrees, freezing all the fire hydrants in town and transforming the fire department from responders into spectators. 

Years following, another tragedy struck. After having fire department funding significantly slashed, in 1953 the Frisco Depot is destroyed by fire. In 1964 the department purchased an International Fire Engine for $14,000. One that it still owns and can be seen on parade. In 2000 the Pierce City Rural Fire Association was formed to provide fire coverage for areas with Pierce City addresses, but outside of the town limits, and Station 1, which is still in use today, was built at Hwy 37 and Lawrence 2235. Prior to its formation services were split between the town fire department and Sarcoxie Fire Department leading to long response times. On May 4th, 2003 the course of Pierce City would be altered forever. 

After the near destruction of the entire town by a tornado, including the fire station in town, a new fire station was built in partnership with FEMA. Today it houses four apparatus and a tornado shelter. 2005 – 2011 saw many significant events for the Pierce City Fire Department including the building of what today is Station 2 on Wallaby Rd, the purchase of what is now Engine 31 on an AFG grant, the building of Fire Station 3 in the town of Wentworth (the first since their department dissolved in the 1970s), the purchase of Tanker 13 on another AFG grant, and the call for assistance for the Pierce City Fire Department from Joplin after the Joplin tornado on May 22nd, 2011. In 2013 the Town of Pierce City Fire Department and the Pierce City Rural Fire Association merged into what today is the Pierce City Fire Protection District.