The museum is based in the old West Bar fire and police station. The building opened in 1900 and was built by Messrs Ash, Son and Biggin. The police station was housed on the left hand side of the building with the fire brigade on the right for easy access to the stables and the fire appliances. In 1929 the new fire station opened at Division Street and the building then became just a police station and from 1965 the police left and the building became a warehouse, shop and offices until the late 1970’s.

The station opened as a museum in 1983 by the South Yorkshire Fire Service Historical Society who took it over, they immediately repaired the roof at a cost of £26,000. Then the society set about restoring the building to show artefacts dating back to the late 1700’s. The building provides the perfect setting for the museum and displays many interesting pieces that show the fire brigade through the ages.

The tower which features on top of the building served as two purposes, firstly as a training facility for the fire-fighters, secondly, as a hose drying area. The one at West Bar, has a different function because at the top, a fire watching platform is provided. The Historical Society believes that this is the last such platform left in the UK.

The first floor contains two display rooms:  the main display room includes a collection of helmets, uniforms, medals and artefacts. The room also holds precious pieces from John Charles Pound, the first Chief Officer of the Sheffield Fire Brigade (1869-1895) it features his helmet, axe, insignia and memoirs. The international room contains artefacts from all over the world, most of which have been donated by foreign firefighters.

Rooms on the second floor of the museum show different aspects of fire fighting or fire prevention. The lower floor shows the police cells and takes us into a world of policing from many years ago. The cells feature items that belonged to Charles Peace a prolific burglar turned, murderer. The stables/garage area contain vehicle throughout the ages. In the back of the stables there is a secret underground tunnel which burrows its way through underground Sheffield.