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History of Firefighting
The
history of organized combating of structural fires dates back at least to
ancient Egypt where hand-operated pumps may have been employed to extinguish
fires. However, such attempts could be of limited value given the large
structural conflagrations that could sweep through Rome and other cities.
The Roman fire brigade (Vigiles) was formed in AD 6 by Augustus to combat
fires using bucket brigades and pumps, as well as poles, hooks and even
ballistae to tear down buildings in advance of the flames. It is generally
thought that this is where the "hook" in "hook and ladder company" comes
from. The Vigiles patrolled the streets of Rome to watch for fires and
served as the police force.
Rome suffered a number of serious fires, most notably the fire that started
near the Circus Maximus on 19 July AD 64 and eventually destroyed two thirds
of Rome. The Emperor Nero was blamed for the conflagration, and may in fact
have allowed the fire to burn. At least one Roman may have become very rich
from this fire, buying properties in advance of the flames and using teams
of slaves in attempts to defend his recent acquisitions from being consumed.
Another great city that experienced such a need for organized fire control
was London, which suffered great fires in 798, 982 and 989. Little is known
about the development of firefighting in Europe until after the Great Fire
of London in 1666. It started in a baker's shop on Pudding Lane, consumed
about two square miles (5 km²) of the city, leaving tens of thousands
homeless. Prior to this fire, London had no organized fire protection
system. Afterwards, insurance companies formed private fire brigades to
protect their clients’ property. Insurance brigades would only fight fires
at buildings the company insured. These buildings were identified by a badge
or sign. Still, it was not until 1672 that the Dutch inventor Jan Van der
Heiden invented the fire hose. Constructed of flexible leather and coupled
every 50 feet (15 m) with brass fittings, the length and connections remain
the standard to this day.
Meanwhile, in America, Jamestown, Virginia had been virtually destroyed in a
fire in January 1608. Fire "wardens" were appointed in New Amsterdam in
1648. Wardens were to patrol the cities to inspect chimneys. "Rattle
Watches" were performed at night by eight appointees, who were to rouse
citizens to fight fires by bucket brigade if necessary. In Boston, serious
fires in 1653 and 1676 had inspired the city to take greater measures
towards combating fire.
The fire engine was developed by Richard Newsham of London in 1725. Pulled
as a cart to the fire, these manual pumps were manned by teams of men and
could deliver up to 160 gallons per minute (12 L/s) at up to 120 feet (40
m).
Benjamin Franklin created the Union Fire Company in 1736 in Philadelphia,
the first volunteer fire company in America. There were no full-time paid
firefighters in America until 1850. Even after the formation of paid fire
companies in the United States, there were disagreements and often fights
over territory. New York City companies were famous for sending runners out
to fires with a large barrel to cover the hydrant closest to the fire in
advance of the engines. Often fights would break out between the runners and
even the responding fire companies for the right to fight the fire and
receive the insurance money that would be paid to the company that fought
it.
Napoleon Bonaparte is generally attributed as creating the first
"professional" firefighters, known as Sapeurs-Pompiers, from the French
Army. Created under the Commandant of Engineers in 1810, the company was
organized after a fire at the ballroom in the Austrian Embassy in Paris
which injured several dignitaries.
In the UK, organized firefighting arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, when the
Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment was formed in 1824, led by James
Braidwood. London followed in 1832 with the London Fire Engine
Establishment.
The first horse-drawn steam engine for fighting fires was invented in 1829,
but not accepted in structural firefighting until 1860, and ignored for
another two years afterwards. Internal combustion engine fire engines
arrived in 1907, built in the United States, leading to the decline and
disappearance of steam engines by 1925.
Today, fire and rescue remains a patchwork of paid and volunteer responders.
Typically, fire services in rural areas consist of volunteers while
full-time organizations dominate cities and urban areas, although there are
exceptions.
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