Designed by architect Albert L. Harris, the doors to this firehouse opened on December 16, 1932 to house Engine Company 16, Truck Company 3, the Firefighting Deputy Chief, and a water tower.  In 1955 the 6th Battalion Fire Chief moved to these quarters from the quarters of Engine 2.  This Chief had originally been the "Central Battalion" and became the 6th Battalion Fire Chief on July 1, 1931. 
These quarters were designed to be a revival of colonial architecture and several design features were incorporated to make these quarters a true showpiece in the Nation's Capitol. The Franklin Square fire station is the only station in the city with four apparatus bays. The walls of the apparatus bay were built of glazed brick, to facilitate easy cleaning in the modern days of motorized apparatus. Surrounding the upper edges of the apparatus bay walls is a unique bas-relief trim of chevron pattern.

The third floor of this fire station originally housed the City's police and fire clinic. Complete with an operating room, recovery room, laboratory, and meeting room, all members of the City's police and fire departments would report to these quarters for routine medical examinations and treatment of job-related injuries.
Today the Police & Fire Clinic is located on the grounds of Providence Hospital in Northeast Washington.  The first and second floors of this historic firehouse are the present quarters of Engine Company 16, Truck Company 3, and the 6th Battalion Fire Chief.  The station also houses a "ready-reserve" engine company, mass casualty unit, and Ambulance 16. The firefighters work a 24 hour on, 72 hour off work schedule that averages 42 hours a week. The station is staffed each day with at least thirteen personnel.

Modern times have changed the landscape and scenery surrounding these quarters.  While the station was once the tallest building on the block, today it is flanked on all size by high-rise office buildings.  The first-due and box alarm areas of these companies remains diverse and intriguing.  These companies are first due to many of the most important buildings in the country, including the White House and Department of Commerce.  Our box alarm area includes most major museums such as the Smithsonian, the Treasury, the State Department, et cetera.  The area is not all glass front office and government buildings, however.  Engine 16 and Truck 3 respond to a variety of incidents in high-rise residential buildings, elderly facilities, hospitals, row homes, taxpayers, commercial strips, etc.  Many of these buildings are older and without sprinkler systems. 
In recent years, Engine Company 16 has consistently been one of the top five busiest engines in the city. Truck 3 has been the busiest ladder company for the past two years.