This firehouse was opened on April 22, 1977 when Engine Company 39, Engine Company 1 and Ladder Company 18 moved in. Engine 1 moved in from its former quarters at 119 Dorchester Street, at West Fourth Street. Engine 39 and Ladder 18 moved in from their former quarters at 344 Congress Street. Both old firehouses were closed and both remain extant.
The firehouse is located at 272 D Street, between Athens Street and West Third Street in South Boston.
Engine Company 1 was disbanded on October 20, 1981.
The District Fire Chief of District 6 shares quarters in this firehouse. Also quartered here is the Mobile Command Post.
A plaque is mounted on the exterior of the firehouse to commemorate a firefighter who died in the Line Of Duty:
Engine 39 and Ladder 18 have a large response area, covering all of South Boston, including the Seaport district, and parts of the South End, Dorchester and Roxbury and portions of Downtown.
Engine 39 responds to approximately 2600 incidents per year, while Ladder 18 responds to approximately 2500 incidents per year.