History of the Fire Service
Teamwork * Honesty * Dedication * Leadership
Teamwork * Honesty * Dedication * Leadership
Wellington-Napoleon
Fire Protection District
Fire Protection District
FIRE PROTECTION'S BEGINING
Fire is one of the four essential elements of life as we know it. The ability of man to harness its power marked man as a higher being. For our purposes control doesn't necessarily mean control. This is were the fire service steps in.
Fire is one of the four essential elements of life as we know it. The ability of man to harness its power marked man as a higher being. For our purposes control doesn't necessarily mean control. This is were the fire service steps in.
Fire has been ignited at will by man and nature. It has produced even grater devastation as man progressed. This growth in man also began to require regulations for the use of fire or man would be forestalled in its ever increasing need for growth.
Fire protection was one of the earliest progenitors of laws and rules in human endeavors. Hammurabi and the Egyptians during ancient times produced laws to protect citizens from fire and other disasters.
* If a building failed (collapsed) and would kill someone, the builder was put to death.
* If a child died in a house, the builders child would be put to death.
* The builder would have to replace all damages like for like after a collapse or fire.
Rather severe but not many structures collapsed or fires started by other than the homeowner.
* If a building failed (collapsed) and would kill someone, the builder was put to death.
* If a child died in a house, the builders child would be put to death.
* The builder would have to replace all damages like for like after a collapse or fire.
Rather severe but not many structures collapsed or fires started by other than the homeowner.
Firefighting was an ancient duty of all living in cities or hamlets since a fire could destroy everything in its path. An example is the city and country of rome in 23 BC.
* Slaves formed the bulk of firefighting and enforcement matters.
* There were 600 slaves whose sole duty was to respond to reported fires.
* This didn't function very well because the slaves purportedly had no stake in putting the fire out.
* Shortly thereafter groups of volunteers were formed in each major section of the City of Rome.
* This move fell out of favor almost immediately with the rulers of Rome.
* They had little control over these volunteers (not like they had over the slaves).
* This led to professional firefighters.
* Occurred in 6 AD.
* Freeman (many were former slaves who had won there freedom) were formed into groups throughout the city.
* They were paid by the public treasury to fight fire.
* In 64 AD, after a disastrous fire that almost destroyed all of Rome, major building codes and regulations were passed and enforced.
* To control how and where buildings were built.
* What they were built of.
* Control of all fires in the city including cooking fires as to where and when they could be lit.
Throughout the known Western world after Rome fell evidence shows that the Roman model of fire control and regulations were followed for many years.
* Slaves formed the bulk of firefighting and enforcement matters.
* There were 600 slaves whose sole duty was to respond to reported fires.
* This didn't function very well because the slaves purportedly had no stake in putting the fire out.
* Shortly thereafter groups of volunteers were formed in each major section of the City of Rome.
* This move fell out of favor almost immediately with the rulers of Rome.
* They had little control over these volunteers (not like they had over the slaves).
* This led to professional firefighters.
* Occurred in 6 AD.
* Freeman (many were former slaves who had won there freedom) were formed into groups throughout the city.
* They were paid by the public treasury to fight fire.
* In 64 AD, after a disastrous fire that almost destroyed all of Rome, major building codes and regulations were passed and enforced.
* To control how and where buildings were built.
* What they were built of.
* Control of all fires in the city including cooking fires as to where and when they could be lit.
Throughout the known Western world after Rome fell evidence shows that the Roman model of fire control and regulations were followed for many years.
ENGLAND
We now turn our attention to our predecessors. In medieval England there were early fire prevention efforts that took their cue from the Romans ( after all Rome had conquered England and had a presence there for several hundred years).
The earliest known fire regulation had to do with a French word (couvre few) which means cover fire. (We now use it as Curfew). Simply put this regulation required that all fires be covered (extinguished) when a bell was rung (this was usually just at dark). The earliest information on this was the year 872 AD.
By 1189 London had laws that required:
* House shall be made of stone.
* Stone walls were to be erected between groups of buildings (somewhere between every 5th or 7th structure).
This was, of course, brought about by the great London fire of 1188 that almost destroyed all of London. By the 1500's occupancies as well as construction of buildings was being controlled (close watch on where certain occupancies that utilized open flames were tightly controlled and separated from the other structures. Examples were melting of wax and bakeries).
We now turn our attention to our predecessors. In medieval England there were early fire prevention efforts that took their cue from the Romans ( after all Rome had conquered England and had a presence there for several hundred years).
The earliest known fire regulation had to do with a French word (couvre few) which means cover fire. (We now use it as Curfew). Simply put this regulation required that all fires be covered (extinguished) when a bell was rung (this was usually just at dark). The earliest information on this was the year 872 AD.
By 1189 London had laws that required:
* House shall be made of stone.
* Stone walls were to be erected between groups of buildings (somewhere between every 5th or 7th structure).
This was, of course, brought about by the great London fire of 1188 that almost destroyed all of London. By the 1500's occupancies as well as construction of buildings was being controlled (close watch on where certain occupancies that utilized open flames were tightly controlled and separated from the other structures. Examples were melting of wax and bakeries).
EARLY AMERICA
Early America had its significant share of destructive fires. The 1st permanent settlement at Jamestown, VA was totally destroyed in 1608, just one year after its founding.
Initially towns and villages followed the European model of building buildings in close proximity to one another to use the land judiciously. Build up, not out. This allowed for easier protection against outside forces but allowed for easier destruction by fire.
Fire prevention seemed to have begun in New Amsterdam (now called New York) in 1648. The leader of the city was a Dutchman by the name of Peter Stuyvesant. The following are some of the regulations.
* No wood chimneys, they had to be built of stone or mud.
* Fire wardens were paid to inspect chimneys and levy fines for thosed deemed unsafe.
* There was a curfew against outside fires (usually 9 pm to 4:30 am).
* Fire wardens (called fire watches) roamed the streets during those hours to insure regulations were followed as well as find fires and put them out or call for assistance. In the begining there were 8 of them.
Early America had its significant share of destructive fires. The 1st permanent settlement at Jamestown, VA was totally destroyed in 1608, just one year after its founding.
Initially towns and villages followed the European model of building buildings in close proximity to one another to use the land judiciously. Build up, not out. This allowed for easier protection against outside forces but allowed for easier destruction by fire.
Fire prevention seemed to have begun in New Amsterdam (now called New York) in 1648. The leader of the city was a Dutchman by the name of Peter Stuyvesant. The following are some of the regulations.
* No wood chimneys, they had to be built of stone or mud.
* Fire wardens were paid to inspect chimneys and levy fines for thosed deemed unsafe.
* There was a curfew against outside fires (usually 9 pm to 4:30 am).
* Fire wardens (called fire watches) roamed the streets during those hours to insure regulations were followed as well as find fires and put them out or call for assistance. In the begining there were 8 of them.
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PROFESSIONAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The fire service in the United States began in the early 1700's. Before, firefighting was basically fire brigades that were made up of all, able bodied males living in town. When the alarm would be struck that there was a fire, they would respond to the alarm taking the equipment that had been required to be on their front porch with them. (This usually consisted of a bucket and mop or bucket and ladder). Upon arrival at the scene a bucket brigade (two lines facing eachother) would be formed from the fire to a source of water (the town well). The fire would then be fought by throwing water from the buckets on the fire.
The fire service in the United States began in the early 1700's. Before, firefighting was basically fire brigades that were made up of all, able bodied males living in town. When the alarm would be struck that there was a fire, they would respond to the alarm taking the equipment that had been required to be on their front porch with them. (This usually consisted of a bucket and mop or bucket and ladder). Upon arrival at the scene a bucket brigade (two lines facing eachother) would be formed from the fire to a source of water (the town well). The fire would then be fought by throwing water from the buckets on the fire.
THE PUMPER
In the late 1600s', the English had reinvented the water pump (it was 1st invented in the Middle East a thousand years before and forgotten). Once that invention was seen in the early 1700s' in America (Boston was 1st) it was purchased. Then when the bell rang an individuals would rush to where the hand pump was housed (it was put on wheels), and dragged to the fire.
In the meantime a bucket brigade would have been formed and the pump would be placed near the fire (it usually had a permanently attached straight nozzle on the contraption) and the bucket brigade began to fill the pump with water and men would trade off in teams of 6 to 12 to operate the hand pump.
It has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin in the 1740s' to have formed the first truly volunteer fire department. This was done for the purpose of training and managing who did what and when. Who would go to the pump and pull it to the fire? Who would form the bucket brigade and lead it in its job? Who would be in charge of insuring the nozzle was operated most effectively?
In addition to all the who's' was training. Just getting the pump to the fire relatively safely took training. In addition operating the hand pump with up to 12 people facing eachother and working the pump handles most effectively also took training.
In the late 1600s', the English had reinvented the water pump (it was 1st invented in the Middle East a thousand years before and forgotten). Once that invention was seen in the early 1700s' in America (Boston was 1st) it was purchased. Then when the bell rang an individuals would rush to where the hand pump was housed (it was put on wheels), and dragged to the fire.
In the meantime a bucket brigade would have been formed and the pump would be placed near the fire (it usually had a permanently attached straight nozzle on the contraption) and the bucket brigade began to fill the pump with water and men would trade off in teams of 6 to 12 to operate the hand pump.
It has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin in the 1740s' to have formed the first truly volunteer fire department. This was done for the purpose of training and managing who did what and when. Who would go to the pump and pull it to the fire? Who would form the bucket brigade and lead it in its job? Who would be in charge of insuring the nozzle was operated most effectively?
In addition to all the who's' was training. Just getting the pump to the fire relatively safely took training. In addition operating the hand pump with up to 12 people facing eachother and working the pump handles most effectively also took training.
The bottom line was someone had to be in charge to make all this work. Before the pump it was simply the stronger people would go inside and et salvageable goods from the structure and also be the ones who simply threw water at the fire from the buckets. But with advent of a mechanical device it was necassary to do it correctly and manage what was going on. Soon after the arrival of the hand pumps there were times when no one went to get the pumpwhile at other times everyone went to get it and choas ensued.
This led to the fateful decision of Ben Franklin to form a volunteer fire company in Philadelphia with the purpose of purchasing a hand pumper and have th training and order brought from choas. This took money to buy the pumper and elections to decide who was in charge. Thus the 1st fire company was formed.
Fire companies began springing up in all cities and towns with multiple companies in the larger cities to protect there own areas. All were private volunteers who solicited money to buy the pumper, donate land, anda building to house the contraption. There were no horses, no hose, nothing but muscle power even after these pumpers became huge contraptions that needed as many as 32 men at one time to operate the pump and could pump upwards of 600 GPM if properly fed water.
It took many men to drag the pump to the scene at breakneck speed up and down hills. It then took many other men to begin the process of pumping. By this time the larger cities had wooden water lines that were tapped to provide water to the pumps and leather hose with nozzles attached to fight ever larger fires.
This led to the fateful decision of Ben Franklin to form a volunteer fire company in Philadelphia with the purpose of purchasing a hand pumper and have th training and order brought from choas. This took money to buy the pumper and elections to decide who was in charge. Thus the 1st fire company was formed.
Fire companies began springing up in all cities and towns with multiple companies in the larger cities to protect there own areas. All were private volunteers who solicited money to buy the pumper, donate land, anda building to house the contraption. There were no horses, no hose, nothing but muscle power even after these pumpers became huge contraptions that needed as many as 32 men at one time to operate the pump and could pump upwards of 600 GPM if properly fed water.
It took many men to drag the pump to the scene at breakneck speed up and down hills. It then took many other men to begin the process of pumping. By this time the larger cities had wooden water lines that were tapped to provide water to the pumps and leather hose with nozzles attached to fight ever larger fires.
Most of the larger volunteer companies consisted of 300 or more men. With larger cities having a dozen or more fire companies that size, one can see the strength politically that could be wrought. Tammany Hall (New York) began as a volunteer fire company, in the end, ran New York (albeit with much corruption) for many years.
In the larer cities with multiple private volunteer fire companies the response to and the operation at fires became very, very, very competitive. Many times the newly formed insurance companies would pay money to the company that was 1st on the scene squirting water or putting up ladders.
Many insurance companies began marking the buildings they insured with brass plates with the name or emblem of the insurance company inscribed (they are called fire marks and are worth lots of money today). This began a sad saga in the fire service, especially the volunteer fire service, because fights and some riots began over who got to fight the fire because the 1st due would get paid.
In the larer cities with multiple private volunteer fire companies the response to and the operation at fires became very, very, very competitive. Many times the newly formed insurance companies would pay money to the company that was 1st on the scene squirting water or putting up ladders.
Many insurance companies began marking the buildings they insured with brass plates with the name or emblem of the insurance company inscribed (they are called fire marks and are worth lots of money today). This began a sad saga in the fire service, especially the volunteer fire service, because fights and some riots began over who got to fight the fire because the 1st due would get paid.
STEAM
By the middle or the 1800s' all large cities had the same problem, multiplemfire companies that at times would fight fire or eachother with little cooperation amongst each of them. In the 1830s' the steam engine began to hold sway over transportation and England again created the first steam pumping engine. It was so heavy that it needed to be moved by the use of horses. It was a great success at throwing water much further and more of it than the largest hand pumpers of the day. In addition it could get to the scene of the fire quicker with hosrse power and not get tired pumping for a long period of time.
Volunteer fire companies in all large cities in the United States, immediately saw the downside of the steam fire pumper, the lack of need for 300 firemen. The pumper could, at most require 2 to 3 men to get it to the scene and get it operating. Then with a water supply from the water lines already available, another 3 to 4 men on up to 3 hand lines and one to operate the master stream, one could use at most 16 men to operate a steam pumper; where it took atleast 100 or more men to operate the hand pumper efficiently. This would effectively destroy the political side of the volunteer fire service, the lack of need to have that many men.
Immediately the hue and cry went up not to use steam if it was presented. Boston tried and the volunteers refused to use it. New York bought one and it was destroyed on the docks before it even left the pier.
By the middle or the 1800s' all large cities had the same problem, multiplemfire companies that at times would fight fire or eachother with little cooperation amongst each of them. In the 1830s' the steam engine began to hold sway over transportation and England again created the first steam pumping engine. It was so heavy that it needed to be moved by the use of horses. It was a great success at throwing water much further and more of it than the largest hand pumpers of the day. In addition it could get to the scene of the fire quicker with hosrse power and not get tired pumping for a long period of time.
Volunteer fire companies in all large cities in the United States, immediately saw the downside of the steam fire pumper, the lack of need for 300 firemen. The pumper could, at most require 2 to 3 men to get it to the scene and get it operating. Then with a water supply from the water lines already available, another 3 to 4 men on up to 3 hand lines and one to operate the master stream, one could use at most 16 men to operate a steam pumper; where it took atleast 100 or more men to operate the hand pumper efficiently. This would effectively destroy the political side of the volunteer fire service, the lack of need to have that many men.
Immediately the hue and cry went up not to use steam if it was presented. Boston tried and the volunteers refused to use it. New York bought one and it was destroyed on the docks before it even left the pier.
CINCINNATI
In 1850 the City of Cincinnati, Ohio the city experienced 123 serious fires. The private volunteer fire companies that responded fought eachother at a number of the fires and several riots had broken out.
In October of 1851 the largest wood mill in Cincinnati caught fire. It was one of the largest employers in town.
All 12 volunteer fire companies in the city responded to the fire. Before any water could be put on the fire all of the fireman began fighting each other. The town council requested assistance from the city across the Ohio River (Covington, KY) who arrived and were the only company that actually put water on the fire. The mill burned to the ground.
On March 10, 1853 the City Council of Cincinnati hired men to form the 1st fully paid fire departments in the United States. They had purchased a steam pumper and had it delivered to the docks on the Ohio River. When the volunteer companies attempted to destroy the pumper the citizens of the town defended it.
The steam engine was immediately put into service and could do the work of 6 of the hand pumpers and with 3 personnel assigned it did the work of 100 or more volunteers. This broke the back of the volunteer service in large cities as more cities began hiring fireman and buying steam pumpers.
These cities followed the military method of command and control with a foreman (now called a company officer) and other command officers ending with an individual in overall charge originally called the Chief Engineer.
In 1850 the City of Cincinnati, Ohio the city experienced 123 serious fires. The private volunteer fire companies that responded fought eachother at a number of the fires and several riots had broken out.
In October of 1851 the largest wood mill in Cincinnati caught fire. It was one of the largest employers in town.
All 12 volunteer fire companies in the city responded to the fire. Before any water could be put on the fire all of the fireman began fighting each other. The town council requested assistance from the city across the Ohio River (Covington, KY) who arrived and were the only company that actually put water on the fire. The mill burned to the ground.
On March 10, 1853 the City Council of Cincinnati hired men to form the 1st fully paid fire departments in the United States. They had purchased a steam pumper and had it delivered to the docks on the Ohio River. When the volunteer companies attempted to destroy the pumper the citizens of the town defended it.
The steam engine was immediately put into service and could do the work of 6 of the hand pumpers and with 3 personnel assigned it did the work of 100 or more volunteers. This broke the back of the volunteer service in large cities as more cities began hiring fireman and buying steam pumpers.
These cities followed the military method of command and control with a foreman (now called a company officer) and other command officers ending with an individual in overall charge originally called the Chief Engineer.
A TYPICAL LARGE CITY DEPARTMENT IN THE 1870S'
New York is a good example of a typical large city department in the latter stages of the 1800s'.
The personnel of the New York Fire Department in 1870 consisted of:
* 500 men
* worked 29 of 30 days each month
* 24 hour shifts
* given time off to go to church and other personnel business
Equipment wise with the New York Fire Dept. consisted of:
* 89 steam engines
* 11 hook and ladder companies
* 54 hose companies
The steam engine only carried the pump, so a seperate company would carry the hose. This was called the two piece engine company and was the way all steam engine departments operated until, at the earliest, the 1920s'.
New York is a good example of a typical large city department in the latter stages of the 1800s'.
The personnel of the New York Fire Department in 1870 consisted of:
* 500 men
* worked 29 of 30 days each month
* 24 hour shifts
* given time off to go to church and other personnel business
Equipment wise with the New York Fire Dept. consisted of:
* 89 steam engines
* 11 hook and ladder companies
* 54 hose companies
The steam engine only carried the pump, so a seperate company would carry the hose. This was called the two piece engine company and was the way all steam engine departments operated until, at the earliest, the 1920s'.
The fire problem began spreading westward with the growth of cities in the Midwest. In Chicago the grat Chicago fire on October 9, 1871:
* killed 300 people
* destroyed 17,500 buildings
* left 100,000 homeless
* fire loss was severe
* $200,000,000 in 1870 money
* only $88,000,000 was insured
* only $45,000,000 was paid (other fire insurers declared bankruptcy)
Other fires included:
* Peshtigo, WI
* October 9, 1871 (yes the same date)
* 800 people died
* 1200 square miles of forest and small towns completely destroyed
* Boston, MA
* 1872
* 13 people killed
* 776 buildings destroyed
* issues
* all horses were sick (equine epidemic)
* people pulled the steam engines to the fire
* low water pressure would only allow a 30 ft stream
* the tallest ladder was a 40 ft ladder
* killed 300 people
* destroyed 17,500 buildings
* left 100,000 homeless
* fire loss was severe
* $200,000,000 in 1870 money
* only $88,000,000 was insured
* only $45,000,000 was paid (other fire insurers declared bankruptcy)
Other fires included:
* Peshtigo, WI
* October 9, 1871 (yes the same date)
* 800 people died
* 1200 square miles of forest and small towns completely destroyed
* Boston, MA
* 1872
* 13 people killed
* 776 buildings destroyed
* issues
* all horses were sick (equine epidemic)
* people pulled the steam engines to the fire
* low water pressure would only allow a 30 ft stream
* the tallest ladder was a 40 ft ladder
FIRE INSURANCE
When Ben Franklin formed the 1st volunteer fire company he had an ulterior motive. He was attempting to begin an insurance company. The large growth of insurance companies began in the very early 1800s'.
The major impetus to insure that fire protection was provided was done at the behest of these insurance companies. Many of the larger insurance companies actually started private volunteer fire companies to protect te buildings that were insured.
On July 4, 1866 the City of Portland, Maine had a major Independence Day celebration that had a significant fire works display. A fire developed caused by the celebration that destroyed the town and left 10,000 people homeless.
The day after the fire, a rumor began that the insurance companies were going to declare bankruptcy and not pay claims. This story spread like the fire did. The major insurance companies in the United States knew this could create real trouble to them selling insurance.
On July 18 all major insurance carriers in the Northeast met and declared that all legitimate claims would be paid. They were.
This meeting formed the basis for a new organization called the National Board of Underwriters. Most large insurance companies began to pay into NBFU to help, initially, in the event of a large fire loss, that the claims would be paid and insurance companies would not go bankrupt.
The NBFU began rating buildings and cities for insurance companies to let them know the dangers faced. In fact just before the great San Francisco Earthquake, NBFU had red lined the entire City of San Francisco (insurance companies that were a part of NBFU were not to do business in the City after the expiration date on the policies that were in force). This was due to the very shoddy construction of most structures in the city as well as the lack of any codes.
When Ben Franklin formed the 1st volunteer fire company he had an ulterior motive. He was attempting to begin an insurance company. The large growth of insurance companies began in the very early 1800s'.
The major impetus to insure that fire protection was provided was done at the behest of these insurance companies. Many of the larger insurance companies actually started private volunteer fire companies to protect te buildings that were insured.
On July 4, 1866 the City of Portland, Maine had a major Independence Day celebration that had a significant fire works display. A fire developed caused by the celebration that destroyed the town and left 10,000 people homeless.
The day after the fire, a rumor began that the insurance companies were going to declare bankruptcy and not pay claims. This story spread like the fire did. The major insurance companies in the United States knew this could create real trouble to them selling insurance.
On July 18 all major insurance carriers in the Northeast met and declared that all legitimate claims would be paid. They were.
This meeting formed the basis for a new organization called the National Board of Underwriters. Most large insurance companies began to pay into NBFU to help, initially, in the event of a large fire loss, that the claims would be paid and insurance companies would not go bankrupt.
The NBFU began rating buildings and cities for insurance companies to let them know the dangers faced. In fact just before the great San Francisco Earthquake, NBFU had red lined the entire City of San Francisco (insurance companies that were a part of NBFU were not to do business in the City after the expiration date on the policies that were in force). This was due to the very shoddy construction of most structures in the city as well as the lack of any codes.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FIRE PROTECTION
With the turn of the century and of the large fires in the latter part of the 1800s' codes and their enforcement took center stage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) began writing standards for a variety of fire problems. In addition Model Building Codes that could be adopted by a city were being written. Cities began adopting codes, especially at the behest of insurance companies (no codes no insurance).
While sprinkler systems had been used since the mid 1800s' in certain manufacturing plants the 20th century brought about a major influx of use of sprinkler systems in all types of buildings and occupancies. The use of automatic heat detectors began in the early part of the century.
Pre 1900 saw volunteers and the volunteer style of operation used. This meant to be a part of the organization you had to be elected in. You needed to follow the rules or be voted out. The leaders (chiefs and all officers) were also elected to their post usually on a yearly basis.
Paid (career) departments were different.
Until 1945 management in the career fire service was similar througout the United States. The premise of how fire departments were managed followed what was considered to be the traditional approach. It was based on the following truisms (or so was thought of as the truth).
* Firefighters
* disliked the work
* the firefighters were there only for the money
* there was no self direction or control allowed by the firefighters (top down)
* The fire department had to be run through policies
* they were critical to the smooth operation
* the tasks assigned were simple and repetitive
* company officers used close and tight supervision to ensure success
* rules were set and routine established with violations swiftly punished
With the turn of the century and of the large fires in the latter part of the 1800s' codes and their enforcement took center stage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) began writing standards for a variety of fire problems. In addition Model Building Codes that could be adopted by a city were being written. Cities began adopting codes, especially at the behest of insurance companies (no codes no insurance).
While sprinkler systems had been used since the mid 1800s' in certain manufacturing plants the 20th century brought about a major influx of use of sprinkler systems in all types of buildings and occupancies. The use of automatic heat detectors began in the early part of the century.
Pre 1900 saw volunteers and the volunteer style of operation used. This meant to be a part of the organization you had to be elected in. You needed to follow the rules or be voted out. The leaders (chiefs and all officers) were also elected to their post usually on a yearly basis.
Paid (career) departments were different.
Until 1945 management in the career fire service was similar througout the United States. The premise of how fire departments were managed followed what was considered to be the traditional approach. It was based on the following truisms (or so was thought of as the truth).
* Firefighters
* disliked the work
* the firefighters were there only for the money
* there was no self direction or control allowed by the firefighters (top down)
* The fire department had to be run through policies
* they were critical to the smooth operation
* the tasks assigned were simple and repetitive
* company officers used close and tight supervision to ensure success
* rules were set and routine established with violations swiftly punished
In 1933 personnel that worked on a career fire department had a "job for life". Few, if any, bumps in the road. You did what you were told when you were told to do it. There was no such thing as a personnel department or human relations.
The operations of this department consisted of repetitive tasks. The work was difficult, dirty, and very dangerous. The tools were primitive.
TODAY'S FIRE SERVICE
Today's fire service has changed. Most fire departments are public, paid for by taxes. Training has improved dramitically. The breakdown is as follows.
VOLUNTEERS:
* 1,000,000
* 26,000 Fire Departments
CAREER:
* 190,000
* 2,000 Fire Departments
Today's typical structure is very similar to the past. A Captain from the 50s' would easily recognize the structure still today. The big difference is who is doing it and what the job is with the response to EMS leading the way. Other duties, such as:
* Haz Mat
* Code Enforcement
* Public Education
are all having more time spent on them then responding to and putting out a fire.
In addition, the fire service is finally beginning to follow societal trends, meaning the fire service is drawing its workers from the same workforce as everyone else. Prospective employees today are, on the whole, better educated, with their own visions and require relationship oriented attitudes.
The operations of this department consisted of repetitive tasks. The work was difficult, dirty, and very dangerous. The tools were primitive.
TODAY'S FIRE SERVICE
Today's fire service has changed. Most fire departments are public, paid for by taxes. Training has improved dramitically. The breakdown is as follows.
VOLUNTEERS:
* 1,000,000
* 26,000 Fire Departments
CAREER:
* 190,000
* 2,000 Fire Departments
Today's typical structure is very similar to the past. A Captain from the 50s' would easily recognize the structure still today. The big difference is who is doing it and what the job is with the response to EMS leading the way. Other duties, such as:
* Haz Mat
* Code Enforcement
* Public Education
are all having more time spent on them then responding to and putting out a fire.
In addition, the fire service is finally beginning to follow societal trends, meaning the fire service is drawing its workers from the same workforce as everyone else. Prospective employees today are, on the whole, better educated, with their own visions and require relationship oriented attitudes.
The story of...
Saint Florian, the patron saint of the fire service
Florian was born in Austria in the 4th century about 250 A.D. in Cetium (now in Austria). The St. Florian commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on May 4th, was an officer of the Roman army. He advanced in the ranks and occupied a high administrative post in Noricum, now part of Austria. 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.
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. The Emperor Diocletian was shocked to learn that Florian did not carry out his orders to persecute all Christians in the area, and, thus, was sentenced to death by fire. 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, he was flogged and flayed after making the bold confession. He was twice scourged, half-flayed alive, set on fire, and finally thrown into the river Enns with a stone around his neck. His body was recovered by a pious woman, and he was buried honorably.
About 600 years later, sometime between 900-955, a monastery was erected near Florian's tomb, and subsequently the village of St. Florian grew up around it. His body, recovered and was eventually removed to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian, near Linz. St. Florian was adopted as patron saint of Poland after Pope Lucius III, in 1138, consented to the request of King Casimir of Poland and to the Bishop of Cracow, to send relics of Florian to that country. Since that time, St. Florian has been regarded as a patron of Poland as well as of Linz, Upper Austria and of firemen. Soon after, a person was saved from a fire by invoking St. Florian's name. Since then, Florian has been invoked against fire and has generally been regarded in most countries as the patron saint of the fire service.
Florian is associated with brewers because of a legendary incident in which he miraculously stopped a fire with a single pitcher of water. He is often depicted holding a pitcher. Florian is also the patron of chimney sweeps, Austria, Poland and soap boilers.
There has been popular devotion to St. Florian in many parts of central Europe, and the tradition as to his martyrdom, not far from the spot where the Enns flows into the Danube, is ancient and reliable. Many miracles of healing are attributed to his intercession and he is invoked as a powerful protector in danger from fire, and floods and against drowning. His feast day is May 4th.
Saint Florian, the patron saint of the fire service
Florian was born in Austria in the 4th century about 250 A.D. in Cetium (now in Austria). The St. Florian commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on May 4th, was an officer of the Roman army. He advanced in the ranks and occupied a high administrative post in Noricum, now part of Austria. 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.
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. The Emperor Diocletian was shocked to learn that Florian did not carry out his orders to persecute all Christians in the area, and, thus, was sentenced to death by fire. 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, he was flogged and flayed after making the bold confession. He was twice scourged, half-flayed alive, set on fire, and finally thrown into the river Enns with a stone around his neck. His body was recovered by a pious woman, and he was buried honorably.
About 600 years later, sometime between 900-955, a monastery was erected near Florian's tomb, and subsequently the village of St. Florian grew up around it. His body, recovered and was eventually removed to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian, near Linz. St. Florian was adopted as patron saint of Poland after Pope Lucius III, in 1138, consented to the request of King Casimir of Poland and to the Bishop of Cracow, to send relics of Florian to that country. Since that time, St. Florian has been regarded as a patron of Poland as well as of Linz, Upper Austria and of firemen. Soon after, a person was saved from a fire by invoking St. Florian's name. Since then, Florian has been invoked against fire and has generally been regarded in most countries as the patron saint of the fire service.
Florian is associated with brewers because of a legendary incident in which he miraculously stopped a fire with a single pitcher of water. He is often depicted holding a pitcher. Florian is also the patron of chimney sweeps, Austria, Poland and soap boilers.
There has been popular devotion to St. Florian in many parts of central Europe, and the tradition as to his martyrdom, not far from the spot where the Enns flows into the Danube, is ancient and reliable. Many miracles of healing are attributed to his intercession and he is invoked as a powerful protector in danger from fire, and floods and against drowning. His feast day is May 4th.
Information about St. Florian from:
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