Derby Fire Department started as a volunteer department in 1952 with 13 volunteers. It has been operating as a full-time city department since 2005, after more than 50 years of service from the volunteer department. Fire Chief Brad Smith came on board in 2004 to help establish the groundwork for full-time staff. Chief Smith retired in 2019 and was replaced by Fire Chief John Turner. In addition to the Fire Chief, there is a Deputy Fire Chief, 30 full-time firefighters, 11 part-time firefighters, and 17 volunteers.