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In an article found in the Wayne County Democrat on 25 July 1888, the first Volunteer fire company in Wooster, Ohio was organized in January 1827. It continued serving as a Volunteer fire company fore nearly 60 years. In 1888, the establishment of a Paid Department ended the Volunteer Department. Probably one of the first most devasting fire the volunteers fought was the courthouse fire of 1828. Many valuable records and papers were destroyed in this fire. The 2nd courthouse was erected in 1831-1832.
Relief Fire Company No. 2 was organized in 1839. When No. 2 disbanded after 20 years of service, the former members of No. 2 organized Relief Fire Company No. 4. This occurred in July 1859. The first foreman of Relief Rescue No. 4 was P. T. Kisane. The new company charged an admission fee of $5. The money generated adequate funds to purchase a first class hand engine from Messrs. Button & Blake.
In the 1859 directory, three fire departments were listed in Wooster, Ohio: Delaware Fire Co. No. 1 (located on the east side of the Public Square, north of Liberty); Rescue Fire Co. No. 2 (located on the east side of the Public Square, south of Libery); and Wooster Fire Co. No. 3 (located north side of South St., between market and Buckeye).