Our History & 75 Years of Service

Overview

South King Fire is a fire district rich in its history. The Fire District covers nearly 41 square miles and protects over 150,000 citizens. The District is made up of what used to be five former fire districts.

Watch the History of South King Fire

Red and yellow Lakeland fire engines parked in front of a fire station as part of South King Fire history.

Emblem for South King Fire history, featuring the number 75 in the center and the dates 19 and 49 on the sides.

Celebrating 75 Years of Service

South King Fire’s journey began on April 18, 1949, with one fire engine and a small group of volunteers. Over the years, we expanded through mergers with five neighboring fire districts. Today, South King Fire has seven fire stations and more than 150 firefighters serving a growing population beyond 150,000 citizens.
We were known for many years as District 39 or the Federal Way Fire Department. In 1991, the City of Federal Way annexed District 39, allowing us to maintain our status as an independent fire district. In 2006, we merged with Des Moines Fire District 26, adopting the name “South King Fire & Rescue,” which in 2023 was simplified to South King Fire. We’re honored to be serving these great communities!

The Start of the Fire District

King County Fire Protection District Number 39 started with one fire engine stored in a barn and a handful of volunteers. It grew through the years as the District merged with its original neighbors in King County, King County Fire Protection Districts Number 22, 30, and 32. The Fire District retained its identifier as King 39, although over time the Fire District simply became known as the Federal Way Fire Department.

Uniformed firefighters pose on and around a vintage Des Moines and Zenith Fire Dept. truck, reflecting South King Fire history.

A red South King Fire engine parked in a paved lot as part of the department’s history.

Annexation of Federal Way and Des Moines

In 1991, the City of Federal Way annexed into District 39 which allowed the Fire District to continue to provide service for the newly formed city as a stand-alone fire district. In 2006, the citizens of Des Moines voted to merge their Fire District Number 26 into the Federal Way Fire Department and the name South King Fire was born.