The Lewistown Fire Department was organized on August 10, 1898, as the Lewistown Volunteer Fire Brigade. The population at that time was documented at 765 people. The apparatus used by the volunteer brigade was an engine and hose cart, which was pulled by a few men to Big Spring Creek for the first training exercise.

On January 3, 1900, the city attorney presented an ordinance that established a town fire department and gave control of the fire company to the city council. Throughout the next ten years, several citizens joined the Volunteer Fire Brigade, and several pieces of firefighting equipment were purchased.

In November of 1906, two fire wagons and a team of horses were purchased for the amount of $600. This purchase by the City Commission was in response to Fire Chief Bebb’s claim that his men were too tired to fight fires after pulling the hose cart and pump to a scene. As a result, on November 30, 1906, the fire wagons and a pair of horses (named Gean and Jess) were placed into service.

In 1913 and 1917, the City of Lewistown purchased motorized fire trucks—a 1913 American LaFrance named “Dodo,” which cost the city $5,780, and a 1917 American LaFrance, which cost another $5,000. The fire team of Gean and Jess were taken out of service on May 11, 1917. On August 6, 1920, the latest census showed the population of Lewistown to be at 6,120 people.

On April 4, 1956, the Lewistown Rural Fire District was organized for residents who lived out of the city boundaries. This organization is still in operation today.