Where was the first American Fire Department?

It is somewhat hard to say. The first American (volunteer) fire department company is often credited to Ben Franklin, around 1736, in Philadelphia. This started as a club, or co-op, to protect each other's homes in the event of a fire. But there were organizations resembling firefighting "clubs", also known as "Mutual Fire Societies" in Boston prior to this. Boston also had "Firewards" as early as 1711. As early as 1678, Boston had some fire fighting equipment and a paid crew to maintain it and respond to fires. In 1648, New York, and a few other cities, had a volunteer "rattle watch" who patrolled the streets. If a fire was discovered these people would sound an alarm and help organize bucket brigades. As early as 1731 there is a record of the City of New York purchasing fire apparatus. This was a hand pump/brake bar engine.

Franklin noted in his own newspaper, in 1735, that Boston had "a club or society of active men belonging to each fire engine, whose business is to attend all fires with it whenever they happen. " This may have been one of the concepts that help him go down in history as one of our first, if not THE first, fire chief. The difference between Ben Franklin's "fire brigade" and the other co-ops, of clubs, is that he saw the advantage of protecting all the property of the community and not just those who had joined together to help fight each other's fires. Franklin formed a fire brigade that became know as The Union Fire company. This was made up of about 30 volunteers from the community. These men met monthly to discuss fire fighting techniques. But this was not the only "fire company" in Philadelphia. Soon afterwards there were others known as, the Britannia, the Heart-in-Hand, the Fellowship and others.

Many prominent early Americans were volunteer firefighters. After all, in most cases, if people didn't organize and form some kind of co-op, there wasn't anyone to help keep the town from burning down. George Washington was a volunteer in Alexandria, Va. and purchased a new fire engine to donate to the town.

While it was more true back then, volunteer fire houses are still a major social organization in many communities. Volunteer departments hold many events to raise money. Usually the prominent leaders of a community are members of the fire department. It is less true today, but 150 years ago, the volunteer fire departments were often powerful political machines in many towns and cities. Probably the most famous example was Boss (William Marcy) Tweed of Tammany Hall Fame who started as a member of the "Americus" (sic) Engine Company Number 6 ("The Big Six") in New York City. The movie, The Gangs of New York, show this period of time.

During the Civil War, entire fire companies or departments would join up and many became the elite Zoave battalions. The Civil War is often credited with helping to establish the fire department rank system that exists today. While fighting in the war, the leaders of the fire brigade received rank and continued to be known by that title long after returning home. See: Ranks and Organization.

Between 1800-1900 many American cities suffered devastating fires and realized that something had to be done. More and more cities established government sponsored fire brigades. Prior to that, fires were fought by volunteers or private companies.

Some of these private fire brigades were freelance while others were owned by insurance companies.

What is a "Fire mark"?

Over a hundred years ago, this was a round (or other shape) iron, copper or lead emblem that was usually placed, on the wall, near the front door of a structure. It denoted the insurance company who had a policy on that property. It was usually made of enough metal to be able to withstand a fire.

The earliest fire marks may have been created soon after the Great Fire of London in 1666. After this fire, London created an insurance system and "fire companies". Once you paid your insurance and affixed the fire mark to your structure, you would have the services of one of the city charted companies.

Fire marks (insurance company marks) were used in the U.S. from about 1750 to around 1900.

In the early days of the U. S., there were no municipal fire departments.

Fire brigades were sometimes either owned, or paid, by insurance companies (or assurance companies) or supported by the community. Some stories tell that in some communities the fire brigade only responded to protect the property of those who had the insurance who owned this fire brigade. In other cities the fire brigades might have been independent companies.

The story you hear, tells of the money going to the fire brigade who was successful in staking a claim on the property, which was on fire. One method of claiming a structure was to place a ladder on it. The first company to do so was allowed to fight the fire and was therefore paid by the insurance company. As you can imagine, there were problems with this system.

Fire companies would have people whose main job it was to (A) ladder the building and (B) prevent the other company from doing so. There are many, apocryphal, stories of different fire brigades being involved in fist fights, in the front yard, while the structure burned.

But the thought that a burning home, with no fire mark, was left to burn, was probably not true. In fact, in the U.S., there is no evidence to support this belief. Volunteer fire departments were supported by community donations and many other sources of revenue. The insurance company's fire mark was possibly more of an indication of a "reward" for saving a particular structure, if anything other than advertising.

For this reason one might hear of fire companies fighting over who would be allowed to fight a fire.

Not all insurance companies paid a reward, but some may have. Much like today, some insurance companies simply donated money to the local volunteer fire departments. Only about one in ten insurance companies ever issued fire marks, so their value, or purpose, remains unclear. It is possible that a fire mark would have a different purpose or meaning depending upon the insurance company, the community, or the insured.

The Badge of a Fire Fighter is the Maltese Cross.

The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old. When a courageous band of crusaders known as The Knights of St. John fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device of war.

It brought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the cross. As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens would hurl a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.Thus, these men became our first Fire Fighters and the first of a long list of courageous men. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor - a cross similar to the one fire fighters wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is our symbol of protection. It means that the Fire Fighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a Fire Fighter's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage - a ladder's rung away from death.

Florian was born in Austria in the 4th century about 250 A.D. in Cetium (Austria). The St. Florian commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on May 4th, was an officer of the Roman Army.

He joined the Roman Army as a youth, and through hard work and determination... he advanced through the ranks. He advanced in the ranks and occupied a high administrative post in Noricum, now part of Austria. The Emperor Diocletian and his assistant Maximian liked Florian because of his abilities to solve problems and work with people. They saw Florian as a man capable of handling heavy responsibilities. The saint suffered "death for the Faith" in the days of Diocletian. Although he became an officer of the Roman Army, he didn't observe a "don't ask, don't tell" policy and confessed to his Christianity in anti-Christian times.

The Emperor sent an assistant named Aquilius to the area controlled by Florian to kill all the Christians in the area, and to find out why Florian was not following orders. When he finally met up with Florian... he asked him why he refused to persecute the Christians to which Florian replied,

"Tell the Emperor that I am a Christian and will suffer the same fate as the Christians."

Aquilius then offered him a raise and promotion if he would change his mind. Florian refused. Aquilius was outraged and had his soldiers beat him with whips, yet Florian stood steadfast. He told Aquilius that he had suffered many wounds for the Emperor - why not a few scratches for his own beliefs? His courage scared Aquilius who feared that Florian would lead others to rebel. It was for these reasons that the Emperor was shocked to learn that Florian was not following his order to punish all Christians in his area.

This punishment included burning Christian churches and books, firing all Christians from their jobs, putting them in prison without good reason, and finally forcing them to sacrifice to the Roman gods. Florian did not carry out his orders to persecute all Christians in the area, and, thus, was sentenced to death by fire. His legendary "Acts" state that he gave himself up at Lorch to the soldiers of Aquilinus, and the governor of Lorch, when they were rounding up the Christians. Standing on the funeral pyre, Florian is reputed to have challenged the Roman soldiers to light the fire, saying "If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames. " Apprehensive to his words," instead of burning Florian, not willing to take a chance due to fear, Aquilius decided to drown Florian by tying a giant mill stone around his neck and throwing him into the river Enns. His body was later recovered by a pious woman, and he was buried honorably. Because of his stand and resistance to death by fire......

Saint Florian became the protector of firefighters all over the world. Florian because of a legendary incident in which he miraculously stopped a fire with a single pitcher of water. He is often depicted pouring a pitcher of water on to a fire.

The Blue "Star of Life"

The Emergency Medical Care Symbol Just as a pharmacists has the mortar and pestle and doctors have the caduceus, Emergency Medical Technicians have a symbol, its use is encouraged both by the American Medical Association and the Advisory Council within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The symbol applies to all emergency medical goods and services which are funded under the DOT/EMS program. Designed by Leo R. Schwartz, Chief of the EMS Branch, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the "Star of Life" was created after the American National Red Cross complained in 1973 that they objected to the common use of an Omaha orange cross on a square background of reflectorized white which clearly imitated the Red Cross symbol. NHTSA investigated and felt the complaint was justified. The newly designed, six barred cross, was adapted from the Medical Identification Symbol of the American Medical Association and was registered as a certification mark on February 1, 1977 with the Commissioner of Patents and Trade-marks in the name of the National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration. The trademark will remain in effect for twenty years from this date. Each of the bars of the blue "Star of Life" represents the six system function of the EMS, as illustrated below:

The snake and staff in the center of the symbol portray the staff Asclepius who, according to Greek mythology, was the son of Apollo (god of light, truth and prophecy). Supposedly Asclepius learned the art of healing from the centaur Cheron; but Zeus - king of the gods, was fearful that because of Asclepius knowledge, all men might be rendered immortal. Rather than have this occur, Zeus slew Asclepius with a thunderbolt.

Later, Asclepius was worshipped as a god and people slept in his temples, as it was rumored that he effected cures of prescribed remedies to the sick during their dreams. Asclepius was usually shown in a standing position, dressed in a long cloak, holding a staff with a serpent coiled around it. The staff has since come to represent medicine's only symbol. In the Caduceus, used by physicians and the Military Medical Corp., the staff is winged and has two serpents intertwined. Even though this does not hold any medical relevance in origin, it represents the magic wand of the Greek deity, Hermes, messenger of the gods. The Bible, in Numbers 21:9, makes reference to a serpent on a staff: "And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.

Who may use the "Star of Life" symbol?

NHTSA has exclusive rights to monitor its use throughout the United States. Its use on emergency medical vehicles certifies that such vehicles meet the U.S. Department of Transportation standards and certify that the emergency medical care personnel who use it have been trained to meet these standards. Its use on road maps and highway signs indicates the location or access to qualified emergency care services. No other use of the symbol is allowed, except as listed below: States and Federal agencies which have emergency medical services involvement are authorized to permit use of the "Star of Life" symbol summarized as follows: - As a means of identification for medical equipment and supplies for installation and use in the Emergency Medical Care Vehicle-Ambulance. - To point to the location of qualified medical care services and access to such facilities. - For use on shoulder patches worn only by personnel who have satisfactorily completed DOT training courses or approved equivalents, and for persons who by title and function administer, directly supervise, or participate in all or part of National, State, or community EMS programs. - On EMS personnel items - badges, plaques, buckles, etc. Books, pamphlets, manuals, reports or other printed material having direct EMS application. - The "Star of Life" symbol may be worn by administrative personnel, project directors and staff, councils and advisory groups. If shoulder patches are worn, they should be plain blue "Star of Life" on a white square or round background. The function, identifying letters or words should be printed on bars and attached across the bottom separately. The edges of the basic patch and functional bars are to be embroidered. Special function identification and physical characteristics must be adhered to when applying the "Star of Life" to personal items, as follows: a) Administrative and dispatcher personnel must use a silver colored edge, and the staff of Asclepius should be with a silver colored serpent. These items do not need a white background. b) The shoulder patches and other EMS patches may be displayed on uniform pockets and the symbol can also be placed on collars and headgear. Each of the six "points" of the star represents an aspect of the EMS System.

Dalmatians?

How did that white dog with black spots known as a dalmatian come to be associated with fire fighting?

Dalmatians have been around for about 600 years. So, to understand how the dalmatian became the number-one firehouse mascot in England and the United States, we must take a long look back in history.

The exact time and location of the dog's origin are unknown. However, because dalmatians appear in an Italian wall painting dated about 1360 A.D. and because these spotted dogs were named after Dalmatia, an Adriatic coastal region, one may assume that they originated somewhere in this area. But, it wasn't until 1780 when the name "dalmatian" was used in the English language.

The Dalmatian is a very physical breed, with a strong, muscular body, and able to run great distances without tiring. The Dalmatian also has what seems to be a natural calming effect on horses. This trait about the breed was seen very early on, and soon the Dalmatian was identified with horses. Possibly horse mounted warriors or hunters first used the breed in their activities. During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries when the mode of travel was by horse or by carriage, the Dalmatians became a society dog, and trained to run along side women's carriages. They became known as Coach dogs or Ladies dogs because of this. In fact, the term coaching is referring to how the Dalmatian will take up position just off the side and towards the rear of a horse and run with them. In the 1700's, dalmatians were used to protect horses that pulled English stagecoaches. Typically two dalmatians would run next to the horses as they pulled the coach. When other dogs tried to run out and scare the horses, the dalmatian team would chase them away. Over the years, dalmatians formed a close bond with horses. During this time, horse theft was very common. Because of the potential for theft, stagecoach drivers would typically sleep in a hammock strung between two stalls where they would watch for thieves. However, because of the bond between the dalmatians and the horses, the driver could sleep in a hotel or house if he owned a dalmatian.

Why?

Because the dalmatians would sleep with the horses and guard against horse theft. It is during the era of horse drawn fire apparatus that the Dalmatian becomes forever tied to the Fire Service.

These fire house horses were required to spend hours at a time at a fire scene, or hours inside the fire house waiting for a call, and despite many misbeliefs, these fire house horses were not broken down old hags, but fine spirited horses. The Dalmatian became the horses pet as it were, to help keep them calm. There are many reports and stories of seeing a fire team rushing to the scene of a call, with a Dalmatian or two running between the horse teams. Once on the scene of the call, the Dalmatian took over as guard dog, insuring that nothing was stolen from the apparatus. The Dalmatian is a very loyal breed to its owners, and an admirable foe when challenged. Because of the dog/horse bond, the dalmatian easily adapted to the firehouse in the days of horse-drawn fire wagons. Since every firehouse had a set of fast horses to pull the pumper, it became common for each group of firefighters to keep a dalmatian in the firehouse to guard the firehouse and horses. When the alarm came in, the dalmatian led the way for the horse-drawn pumper. In this way, the dalmatian became the firefighters' companion and a symbol of the fire service. Today, dalmatians are still found in many firehouses in England, Canada, and the United States. Because of this loyalty, the Dalmatian continued in the Fire Service once the horses were replaced with mechanical apparatus. Today, in many large cities, the Dalmatian is the guard dog of the fire truck while at the scene of fires and rescues. In its long history in the Fire Service, there are also reports of how the Dalmatian has rescued trapped firefighters or victims.

Overall, the Dalmatian is a brave and valiant dog.

Where did the term “fire plug” come from?

Before the modern fire hydrant, a primative fire suppression system was to bury a wooden water pipe (often no more than a hollowed out log) along the streets.

In the event of a fire, teams would dig down to the buried wooden water main and auger a hole in the pipe. And out would come the water to fill buckets with the water, and start a bucket brigade to extinguish the fire. When they were finished, they would need to hammer a wooden plug into the log to stop the flow of water. Hence the origin of the term “fire plug.”

So, who did invent the fire hydrant?

It was invented by a man by the name of   "Birdsill Holly Jr."   for his prodigious contributions to the field of hydraulic engineering in the 19th Century. While Holly was only one of many involved in the development of the fire hydrant, innovations he introduced are largely responsible for the fire hydrant we take for granted today.

Birdsill Holly Jr. was born on November 8, 1820 to Birdsill and Comfort Holly in Auburn, New York. Young Holly's penchant for mechanics came from his father, a millwright and mechanic. Birdsill, Sr. It's believed his father worked as a mechanic in one of the town's many mills. When he died in 1828 at the age of 37, young Birdsill, with only a third-grade education, dropped out of school to support his family. Holly became an apprentice in a cabinet-making shop, and after that a machine shop. Details of his life between 1836 and 1845 are unclear, but it's believed he owned a machine shop in or around Uniontown, PA. In 1845, Holly became a partner in the Silsby Company, a manufacturer of hydraulic machines and steam-powered fire engines.

While there in 1849 he received his first patent, for a rotary water pump. In 1855, he invented the Silsby steam fire engine. By 1859 Holly's pump designs and ingenuity were attracting attention from influential and moneyed individuals. He relocated to Lockport, New York when Washington Hunt, a future governor, and Thomas Flagler offered to set him up in business. Holly Manufacturing was born. At its peak, the company employed over 500 workers.

At Holly Manufacturing, he designed machinery for the Lockport water works that allowed water to be pumped under pressure into city mains without a reservoir. Shortly thereafter, Holly came up with his first design for a fire hydrant, a device invented before he was born. Holly's Fire Protection and Water System - an integrated system designed to deliver water under a steady pressure for public safety - brought him worldwide fame in 1863. The system was widely adapted throughout the United States and Canada, and established the standard upon which all current, water distribution systems as based.

In 1869, Holly was issued a patent, number 94749, for an "improved fire hydrant". Ironically, Chicago declined to purchase the system. That was, however, before Mrs. O'Leary's cow. Shortly after being devastated by the Great Fire of 1871, if the City bought into the system that many believed would have kept the fire from raging out of control. In 1876, At about 7 p.m. on April 27, 1894 following a long illness, Birdsill Holly died at his home.

Who invented the Fire Hose

In Holland, Dutch inventor Jan Van der Heiden was also the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade.

Somtime between (1672-1673) Jan van der Heiden, and his son Nicholas took firefighting to its next step with inventing the fire hose, by stitching together the seams of leather in 50-foot lengths and adding brass couplings on each end of the hose. Now, with this method one end of the hose brass coupling had male threading, the other end had female threading could now connect multiple sections of hose together, 50 ft hose section could be made into 100 ft. hose and so on.

Water pressure was very limited, By attaching a gooseneck nozzle at the end of this hose enabled firefighters closer advancements and produce more accurate water application onto the fire.

Van der Heiden was also acredited with an earliest version of a suction hose using wire to keep it ridged and to keep it from collapsing.

Prior to the 1790’s water used for fighting fires came from wells, cisterns and natural bodies of water.

In 1793 New York City had a suction engine,The hose also allowed pumpers to pump water a greater distance.

The next major step of the advancement in fire hose was made in 1807 by two American firemen from Philadelphia. James Sellars and Abraham Pennock of Hose Company 1. These two experimented by using metal rivets instead of stitching to bind the seams of leather hose. This allowed for higher pressure and less breakage. There amazing efforts paid off and became successful.

Leather hose was high maintenance and still had many drawbacks such as, stiffness, drying out, cracking, and bursting from excessive pressure. The hose had to be washed, dried, and preserved using codfish and whale oil as a preservative. Other stations would use beef tallow and Neat’s oil made from cattle bones. After applying this oil the leather become sticky and cause the hose to smell.

The introduction of rivets, however, allowed higher pressures and greater delivery of water on the fireground. The improved hose now was still 50 feet in length but weighed more than 85 pounds with the couplings.

Sellars and Pennock invention made it possible to use this ridged hose for suction. The thought of using suction was considered in America, as early as 1698 but without a ridged hose it was ineffective.

James Boyd in 1821 received a patent for rubber lined, cotton-webbed fire hose.

This improvement prompted the further development of suction to draw larger quantities of water much more quickly than before. The water could be delivered directly to the pumper through a hose, thus eliminating the need for buckets. It was said in 1825 Mayor of Boston reported that 100 feet of hose was the equivalent of 60 men with buckets and more efficient.

In 1827 the Fire Chief of New York City put 30 pumpers in a line to pump water a half mile.

By 1871, the Cincinnati Fire Department was using the B.F. Goodrich Company's new rubber hose reinforced with cotton ply.

With different makers and different sizes of hose finding its way to the fireground, the problem of linking one type of hose to another began to develop. This was formally addressed for the first time in 1873, when the International Association of Fire Engineers held its first convention and adopted a standard coupling size and threads to the inch.

In 1878, the American Fire Hose Manufacturing Company of Chelsea, MA, advertised that it was manufacturing the "first seamless cotton fire hose produced for steam fire engines. Many other companies were developing similar hose with pressures tested to 350 psi. Even with the new lighter-weight hose, some fire departments were slow to relinquish their tried-and-true leather fire hose.

Water main services came into existence, fireplugs and hydrants were added to allow fire companies local access to a water supply with hookups.

Improvements have been made to the construction of hose over the years but todays hose is still coupled with male and female connections at the ends, and the 50 ft. length remain the standard to this day.

The Firemans Prayer

The poem below was written in 1958.
By a Wichita, Kansas Fire Department Firefighter by the name of A.W. “Smokey” Linn.
He joined the Fire Department in 1947 after returning from World War I I.
11 years later, In 1958 Linn and his crew responded to a structure fire, in which three children were trapped behind security bars and parished.

This particular fire call put a great burdon on Mr. Linn's heart, soul and mind.
It was a tough time for him as he had young children around the same age.
Remember, in times back then there were no (CISD) Critical Incident Stress Debriefing counselors to help out firefighters, as we do now.
So, the only way he could find to ease the pain of such a tragedy was to sit down and write a prayer.
The Firemen’s Prayer was published in a book entitled "A Celebration of Poets" that same year.
He retired in 1975, after 28 years on the job.
He passed away March 31, 2004 due to complications following surgery.

~ The Fireman's Prayer ~

Whenever I am called to duty, God

Whenever flames may rage,

Give me the strength to save a life,

Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a child

Before it is too late,

Or save an older person

From the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert

And hear the weakest shout,

And quickly and efficiently

To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling

And to give the best in me

To guard my every neighbor

And protect their property.

And if, according to your will,

I am to lose my life,

Please bless with your protection

My children and my wife.

-Author-

A.W. "Smokey" Linn

The Bagpipes music of the Fire Service.

The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department and police department funerals in the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years. When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them. One of these was the Great Highland Bagpipe, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances). It wasn't until the great potato famine and massive Irish immigration to the East Coast of the United States that the tradition of the bagpipes really took hold in the fire department. In the 1800's, Irish immigrants faced massive discrimination. Factories and shops had signs reading "NINA" - No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both - firefighters and police officers. It was not an uncommon event to have several firefighters killed at a working fire. The Irish firefighters' funerals were typical of all Irish funerals - the pipes were played. It was somehow okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of bagpipes when his dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade.

Those who have attended a funeral where bagpipes were played know how haunting and mournful the sound of the pipes can be. The most famous song played at fire and police funerals is Amazing Grace. It wasn't too long before families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the bagpipes to be played for fallen heroes. The bagpipes add a special air and dignity to this solemn occasion.

Bagpipe bands represent both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed playing members. They are also traditionally known as Emerald Societies after Ireland - the Emerald Isle. Many bands wear traditional Scottish dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform. All members wear the kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan or Irish single color kilt.

Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. The bagpipes have become a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral.

The "type" of Bagpipe that is used in the Fire service is the "Great Highland Bagpipe" which has 3 drones a Bass which is 2 octaves below and two tenor drones which are one octave below the "tonic" note on the chanter. The Great Highland Bagpipe as the name implys was the traditional instrument of the Scottish Highlands who's music was passed verbally from father to son during the political times in which the English outlawed all things "native to the highlands" as well as in other areas of the Isles.

Before the fire engine, the earliest form of fire protection in North America consisted of citizen bucket brigades.

When a fire occurred, all of the citizens would run to the scene with their buckets. Two lines would be formed from a water source and filled buckets would be passed up the line to the fire, the water would be thrown at the burning structure. The empty buckets would be quickly passed back using the second line of people to be refilled.

The first fire engine was invented in the early 1720's, A horse drawn carriage on wooden wheels with hand drawn water pump and a reservoir, and a small amount of hose. It delivered up to 60 gallons per minute, the aproxament equivalent of two standard garden hoses today.

Before sirens, firefighters used bells and whistles. The horses also wore a special covering. They wore it so if the fire dropped on them, they wouldn't get burned.

The first horse drawn steam engine water pump for fighting fires was invented in 1829, but not accepted in structural firefighting until 1860, and ignored for another two years afterwards.

Horse traction was replaced in 1907 by the internal combustion engine, the same engine to drive the vehicle was also used to power the water pump. The new era fire engine was born. Built in the United States, lead the decline and disappearance of steam engines by 1925.

This basic locomotion wonder quickly assumed its modern roll, bringing fire fighters, water and equipment to the fire much faster over larger distances away. Over the years specialized auxiliary vehicles were also soon developed.

Why are fire trucks different colors?

Im sure you have seen from traveling around different cities,towns,county,villages or just another Fire Department down the street, you will find that each department has there own color of apparatus.

Fire apparatus comes in many different colors. Back in the 1920's most vehicles were painted black. They were painted the traditional red to make the fire vehicles stand out more.

In the 1960's fire departments began experimenting with different colors that would make the fire trucks more visible in daylight as well as night for safety concerns.

Today each fire department choose their own colors for their vehicles. Fire Departments have used every color in the rainbow and then some, while others paint murals on the sides.

Recently the U.S. Government has introduced the new " lime green " color by safety studies.

Whats the Red dot for?

The Red dot in which is represented in the color picture at the right side is color of the dot on the back side of the helmet represents an Interior Fire Fighter. Which means this individual has had all the Commonweath of Pennsylvania training needed and is qualified to fight fire on the interior of a building. And has passed the departments qualified pack test.

Whats the Green dot for?

The Green dot in which is represented in the color picture at the right side is color of the dot on the back side of the helmet represents Hurst Tool Qualified. Which means this individual has had all the Commonweath of Pennsylvania training needed and is qualified to use hydraulic tools to extricate patients from vehicles. And has passed the departments qualified Hurst test.

Whats the Blue dot for?

The Blue dot in which is represented in the color picture at the right side is color of the dot on the back side of the helmet represents a Pump Operator. Which means this individual has had all the Commonweath of Pennsylvania training needed and is qualified as a Pump Operator. And has passed the departments qualified Pump test.

Whats the Orange dot for?

The Orange dot in which is represented in the color picture at the right side is color of the dot on the back side of the helmet represents an Aerial Ladder Operator. Which means this individual has had all the Commonweath of Pennsylvania training needed and is qualified as an Aerial Ladder Operator. And has passed the departments qualified Aerial Ladder test.

Whats the Gold dot for?

The Gold dot in which is represented in the color picture at the right side is color of the dot on the back side of the helmet represents Ropes Certification. Which means this individual has had all the Commonweath of Pennsylvania training needed and is qualified as had Ropes Certification. And has passed the departments qualified Ropes Certification test.

A light Green Shield on a helmet is worn by Junior members.

The full helmet color of Black with a light Green Shield which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by a Junior member. The goal for a Junior is to observe, listen and ask questions. Also be coached, tested and drilled to help the individual learn all department equipment, rules, regulations and procedures. Training is important to help maintain their knowledge and skill level.

A light Orange Shield on a helmet is worn by Probationary members.

The full helmet color of Black with a light Orange Shield which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by a Probationary member. The light Orange shield identifies that the person wearing this is new to the department and should be coached, tested and drilled to help the individual perfect their skills and to become The best Firefighter they can be.

A Blue helmet is worn by E.M.S. only personnel.

The full helmet color of Blue which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by E.M.S. only personnel. The Blue helmet is for medical personnel who have no interest of or not yet exceeded to the qualification of interior firefighting. E.M.S. only is also identified by the front shield on the helmet.

A Green helmet is worn by a Safety Officer.

The full helmet color of Green which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by a Safety Officer. The Safety Officer is responsible for the safety and acountability of all firefighters on on the scene of an emergency incident, fire ground or training excersise. The Safety Officer has more authority than the Fire Chief and has the ability to stop any unsafe operations ordered by Command.

A Black helmet is worn by a Firefighter.

The full helmet color of Black which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by a Firefighter. A Firefighter is one rank above Probationary Status. On the back of the helmet is a dot system which tells what the Firefighter is qualified for. A Firefighter is also identified by the front shield on the helmet. Which states the name rank of Firefighter and the Departartment their from.

A Yellow helmet is worn by a Lieutenant.

The full helmet color of Yellow which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by a Fire or EMS Lieutenant. A Lieutenant is one rank above Firefighter which is a status rank of Officer. A Lieutenant is soulfully in charge of one specific piece of apparatus either Engine, Truck or Ambulance also over see's Firefighters. A Lieutenant is also identified by the front shield on the helmet.

A Red helmet is worn by a Captain.

The full helmet color of Red which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by a Fire, EMS or Station Captain. A Captain is one rank above Lieutenant. A Captain over see's all Lieutenants and Firefighters. A Captain is also identified by the front shield on the helmet. Station Captain over see's the Fire Captain and the Fire Captain over see's the EMS Captain.

A White helmet is worn by a Chief.

The full helmet color of White which is represented in the color picture at the right side is worn by the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief. The Deputy Chief is one rank above Station Captain or Third in Command. The Assistant Chief is one rank above Deputy Chief or Second in Command. The Fire Chief is one rank above Assistant Chief or First in Command.