The Kirkwood Fire Department is comprised of 42 firefighters, three chiefs and one civilian. The department provides fire suppression and emergency medical services for Kirkwood and Oakland and offers mutual aid to neighboring municipalities. Firefighters operate out of one of the department's three stations and respond to an average of 3,600 service calls per year. Station 1, located at 137 West Argonne Drive, houses a pumper truck and ambulance, as does Station 2, located at 11804 Big Bend Road. Station 3, located at 1321 West Essex Avenue, houses the department's aerial apparatus truck. All trucks are equipped with advance life support systems and are staffed by at least one paramedic.
The department is actively engaged in community education and continually offers CPR training, first aid courses, fire prevention training, safety inspections and blood pressure screenings. The department's administrative office is located at Fire Station 2. Fire Chief Tom Openlander heads the department.