La Porte City’s long history of protecting its citizens began with the formation of a bucket brigade in 1871, when a bell summoned citizens to bring their buckets to fight fires. In those early years, the town’s volunteer fire department was praised as "one of the best-organized and most trustworthy in the state," a tradition that continues today. The first firehouse stood on Chestnut Street until 1967, when the department moved to a new building on Main Street. The service of La Porte City citizens as firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and paramedics is honored.