The Boerne Fire Department was founded as a volunteer organization in 1903 and was created to provide fire protection and emergency services for Boerne and surrounding areas of Kendall County. Since its inception, the Boerne Fire Department has grown significantly. Modern equipment and apparatus have been purchased, and the department now provides fire protection and emergency services throughout the City of Boerne. Through an inter-local agreement with Kendall County, the Boerne Fire Department also provides the same services to an area outside the city limits in Kendall County of approximately 193 square miles.
The annual reports help explain the service areas of responsibility which includes, protecting more than 30,000 people, 9,500 residential and approximately 773 commercial structures. Responsibilities include servicing 2 high schools, 2 junior high schools, 5 elementary schools, 1 private school (K-12), one hospital, one residential facility for at risk youth and several large care facilities for seniors. Services provided by the department include fire suppression and prevention, emergency management, Haz-Mat response, EMS first responder, public education, and specialized rescue such as confined space, low to high angle, swiftwater, dive rescue/recovery and vehicle extrication.