The first truck was purchased in 1929 for $ 6,500, a 1928 American LaFrance. It was the only truck in the tri-county area for many years. There were no uniforms for the early firemen, not even coats, hats, or gloves. They fought fires in whatever they had on at the time.

There were 18 members in 1948 and the JFD had a Class 9 rating. With better equipment, training and an improved water system, JFD gradually upgraded to Class 7, then Class 6. In October 1981, the Jackson Fire Department achieved a Class 4 rating, the first all-volunteer department in the state to qualify for this rating. In 2019, the JFD received a Class 3 fire rating.

In 1950, Chief Skipper organized the first Fire Prevention Week activities. In 1960, Miss Fire Prevention was introduced and remains active to this day. Also in 1960, JFD added Junior Firemen, for individuals aged 16-18, and the Cadet Program, for those aged 19-23. JFD was the first fire department in the state to organize both junior and cadet members. The junior and cadet program is no longer in use.

John I Brown is the current Fire Chief, assisted by Deputy Chief Daron Bolen. Police Chief Jerry Taylor serves as Director of Public Safety. Jason Thomas is currently the Deputy Chief of Public Safety, principally assigned to the Jackson Fire Department. There are currently 55 senior firefighters.

There are nine mobile units, including a rescue truck, three pumpers, two aerial units, a tanker, and a 2,450-gallon capacity “pump on the go” brush truck.

Jackson has three stations where equipment is housed: the Downtown Station #1, built in 2011-2012; the North Jackson Skipper Station #2, built in 1986; and Fire Station #3 on Club Wiley Road, which was acquired in 2017. A brick training tower was completed behind the North Station in 1998.