The Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1874. This all volunteer fire department provides emergency services to the citizens of Thibodaux, Louisiana. As of 2003 The Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department protects a population of about 15,000.

The Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department is composed of 8 fire companies. They are Thibodaux Fire Company No. 1, Protector Fire Company No. 2, Home, Hook, and Ladder Fire Company No. 1, Vigilant, Chemical and Hose Fire Company, North Thibodaux Fire Company No.1, South Thibodaux Fire Company, West Thibodaux Fire Company, and Bowie Fire Company No. 1.

The Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department carries on its roster 484 members as of December 31, 2005. 

A large part of the success enjoyed by the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department comes from the revenues earned at its annual Thibodaux Firemen's Fair. The fair is held from a Thursday to a Sunday in the first week of May and consists of four nights of rides, music, food, fun and games. The Thibodaux Firemen's Parade is held on the Sunday of the fair. The parade consists of all the vehicles of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department and floats from each of the 8 fire companies and emergency vehicles from the surrounding Fire Departments and emergency services. The members usually begin building their floats in early February as these floats always reflect the hard work and pride of their builders! Depending on the weather the fair is almost always a huge success due to the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication of the loyal members of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department. 

The members of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department attend training and business meetings throughout the year. The dedicated members of the department spend countless hours of their free time to learn fire fighting and to take care of the departments business. Fire fighters can attend intensified training provided by instructors from the Louisiana State University Firemen's Training Program. Some fire fighters continue on to become certified in various specialties by taking practical and written examinations. The Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department has members who are certified to the level of Fire Fighter One, Fire Fighter Two, Instructor One, First Responder, EMT, extrication technician, and many other various certifications. Some of the members are selected to be on the various squads. They attend specialized training to perform the duties required by the squads such as vehicle extrication performed by the Rescue squad. This training assures a quick and accurate response when called upon to respond to emergency situations.

The areas protected by the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department enjoy lower fire insurance premiums due to the departments Louisiana Fire Insurance Rating of 4. The Louisiana Fire Insurance Rating Bureau evaluates a fire department's abilities to provide adequate fire fighting protection for the citizens of the area in which the department covers. Through training, manpower, and equipment, Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department has attained this low rating.