The primary mission of the Society is to preserve the heritage and to record the history of the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) for the benefit of the citizens of San Francisco. This mission will include the conservation and preservation of the collection, display of documents, graphic items, fire memorabilia, apparatus, appliances, and other items at the Society's Museum. The award-winning Society muster team, by preserving the physical techniques of firefighting used in the past, makes the Museum a museum of living history.
The museum offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.