Fire & Emergency Services in Karnataka was first established in the year 1942 in Bangalore South & North under the administrative control of the Police department. Later, during the reorganization of the state, a few more fire stations at Bellary, Hospet, Mangalore, Udupi & Raichur were added to the Karnataka State. This system of functioning of fire services under the administrative control of the police department was continued till the enactment of Karnataka State Fire Services Act in 1964.
Under the provisions of this Act, a separate Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services was created on 05-11-1965. Since then the department is working under the administrative control of the Director General of Fire & Emergency Services.