In 1841, Belleville's first fire department was organized. This was a volunteer department with two fire stations. By 1878, the City Council authorized a pay schedule for its' firefighters. In 1916, the City Firemen's Union in Belleville became affiliated with the AFL, charter number 15868. In 1918, Belleville's fire fighters became Charter members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Belleville Fire Fighters Local 53 sent a delegate to the 3rd annual convention. They became affiliated with the Illinois State AFL in 1931. In 1935, Local 53 became a charter member of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois. They remain very active in community and surrounding area labor issues.

In 1932 a third engine house was opened in the West End of Belleville at 6200 West Main Street. This engine house gave the city three strategically located engine houses with thirty-three fire fighters in the Department.

In the 1950's, The Belleville Fire Department had changed its' work week from a seventy-two hour week to a fifty-six hour work week. In 1971 the department changed to a forty-two hour work week.

In 1985, Engine House No. 2 was relocated to 2200 West Washington Street from its former location at 30 North 12th Street. In 1995, Engine House No.1 was relocated from 14 South Jackson Street to its new location at 315 Carlyle Avenue.

The three engine houses are manned 24/7 by a full time contingent of fifty-two State Certified firefighters, three Chief Officers and one secretary. The fire fighters are divided into four battalions of thirteen on duty per day. They work a forty-two hour work week. The Belleville Fire Department does not run EMS service, as this service is provided by private ambulance companies.