By the turn of the century, the number of firefighters in the department had grown to 30. With the increase in personnel came the need for more fire stations and better equipment. In the last 100 years, the Knoxville Fire Department has grown from the Headquarters station in an old livery stable building with two horse drawn engine companies and one aerial truck company to 18 fire stations, out of which 54 engine, ladder, rescue, and hazmat companies, as well as tankers, rescue boats and other specialty equipment operate.

The department has also kept abreast of the latest in fire suppression technology and has incorporated state-of-the-art firefighting and communication equipment into its system. As the 21st Century draws near, the Knoxville Fire Department stands ready with dedicated men and women. The technology may change as the years progress, but the heart and soul of the department does not.