Pacific Grove was founded in 1875 as a Methodist Church summer retreat.  It was incorporated as a City on July 16, 1889.  The Volunteer Department originated in 1885, just prior to the City's incorporation.  On December 16, 2008, the Pacific Grove Fire Department merged with the Monterey Fire Department.  This resulted in a 67-person, 4-station department with enhanced operational capability and a greater depth of resources to better provide a broad spectrum of services to both communities at a lower overall cost than maintaining two separate departments.  Station 4 protects a geographical area of 2.5 square miles with a full-time population of 15,500 residents. Station 4 responds to an average of 1450 calls a year.

The Carmel Fire Department was founded in 1915, and the current station was completed in 1937, after having been housed in two prior locations.  Carmel Chemical No. 1 was established in the aftermath of a fire that threatened the entire community of Carmel. On July 16, 1915, over a year before the incorporation of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Fire Department By-Laws were adopted with the primary objective being the protection of property from and during fires as may occur in Carmel and vicinity.  Under the direction of Foreman B.W. Adams, Carmel Chemical No. 1 operated a Stempal forty gallon soda-acid wagon, a hand-pulled hose cart, and purchased a glaxon siren for the fire house, which was located at Ocean and Dolores.