The City of Tyler, incorporated in 1846, had its first organized fire protection in 1882. A group of citizens lead by Chief Bothwell organized the Tyler Volunteer Fire Department. This group of volunteer's, 25 members strong, were dedicated to protecting the citizens of Tyler from the ravages of fire. They used a hand-drawn hose wagon and 500 feet of hose. They were alerted to a fire by a large bell atop a tall pole located on the courthouse square.

On January 1, 1908, the City of Tyler formed the Tyler Fire Department, a full paid department of firefighters. Chief J. J. Daglish was the first leader of the newly formed department. The volunteer department continued to exist until sometime in the late 1910's when it finally disappeared from historical records. The City was served by both a paid and a volunteer department until the volunteer department disappeared.

Until 1916, the Tyler Fire Department used horse drawn hose wagons and 2-1/2 inch hose connected to fire hydrants to deliver water to the fire. In 1916, Tyler purchased their first motorized fire apparatus, a Type 45 American LaFrance fire coach and a chemical fire engine. In 1923, the chemical fire engine was replaced with another American LaFrance fire engine. Engine1 and Engine 2 both still exist and are part of the East Texas Historical Fire Society. This organization hopes to soon have a fire museum in Tyler with a focus on Tyler Fire Department apparatus.