The two-platoon for working firefighters was started in January 1, 1920 and by the middle of the century the present day three-platoon system was in place. The fire losses were so heavy in these early years and up into early 1900s that many insurance companies closed their Shreveport offices and moved.  The insurance companies that remained put the insurance rates so high that it was practically impossible to have coverage. Eventually, the streets were paved and the fire department changed from mules to horses because of their speed.  They were also easier to train than mules.  It generally took about two weeks for a horse to be trained for fire horse duties. In 1897 the first fire alarm boxes were installed; one each, at three local refineries,  and three in the downtown area. On January 10, 1910, the fire department received its first piece of motorized equipment; an auto-chemical wagon with an engine rating of 55 horsepower and more motorized equipment was gradually bought until all of the horses were retired in 1917.

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On September 4, 1925, one of the worse fires in Shreveport's history occurred when a hot water heater exploded and caught a house on fire. Although Fire Station No. 4 was located across the street from the house, a broken water main prevented the firemen from effectively fighting the blaze. A train with tank cars filled with water was brought to the area, but by the time the train was put together and the tank cars filled with water, it was too late. The fire had quickly spread and between 9:00pm on the 4th and 6:00pm on the 5th, a total of 9 city blocks and 194 homes were lost. Many people were left homeless, but no lives were lost. The first fire chief was Arthur Tombs who was appointed in 1891, but served only three months.  The second chief was Robert Grubbs who served one year till 1892.  Thomas Bresenham was the third fire chief and he served until 1902, at which time Chris OBrien was named chief.  In 1923 Chief O Brien retired after serving over twenty years.  S.J.Flores was then appointed chief. He held the position for 23 years and retired in 1946.  The seventh chief was Floyd Kendrick who headed the fire department until 1954. 

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In 1954, W. J. Cook became chief and he served until Dallas W. Greene was appointed in 1965.  Chief Greene was very well liked and respected by the citizens and made major improvements in the Shreveport Fire Department.  Under Chief Greene the first Rescue Unit was introduced to the department.  He was responsible for the Shreveport fire apparatus color scheme switching from all red to all white to avoid the possibility of having to go to all yellow coloring.  It took many years but all apparatus was eventually painted solid white.  Probably one of the most important accomplishments was having the S.F.D. take over the EMS service for Shreveport.  This was at a time when many fire departments were shying away from such a task.  Chief Greene retired in 1989 after a most rewarding and successful career. 

J. Gordon Routley was appointed fire chief by then Mayor John Hussey.  Chief Routley did not come from within the rank and file of the S.F.D.  but from Canada, and while he had many progressive ideas he did not hit it off well with the firefighters union and was replaced shortly after a new mayor, who was backed by the union members, was elected in 1991.

Dale Martin was appointed fire chief and served from 1991 to 1994.  Chief Martin was a former Chief of the Fire Prevention and was very dedicated to the Shreveport Fire Department.  Chief Martin brought back red to the fire apparatus and also put Federal Q sirens back on all new pumper and hook and ladder rigs.

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Jeri Bo Roberts was appointed chief after Chief Martin.  Chief Roberts brought the fire department up to a Class 1 status.  Chief Roberts retired in 1999. In 1999, Chief Kelvin J. Cochran was appointed as the Departments first African American Fire Chief by Mayor Keith Hightower. Under the Chief Cochran the Department maintained its Class 1 rating.