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Overview of the History,
Tradition, and Development of
the American Fire Service
Copyright© 2000. Delmar is a division of Thomson Learning.
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Objectives
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• Describe the role of the firefighter in the fire
service.
• Describe the importance of the mission of the fire
service.
• Identify major events that have altered the history
of the fire service.
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Objectives
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• Define the basic functions of the fire service.
• Describe the basic types of fire apparatus and their
functions.
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The Mission of the Fire Service
• “To save life and property.”
• Mission statement is a written declaration.
• Fire departments range from small volunteer
companies to large metropolitan departments.
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Roots in the Past
• Firefighting has always been a courageous act.
• Firefighting is an old but a constantly evolving
occupation.
• Everything a fire agency does to protect its
citizens is rooted in events of the past.
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Ancient Beliefs
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• Fire can be traced back to Greek
Mythology.
• Romans worshipped fire and respected it’s
power.
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Ancient Beliefs
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• First organized fire department goes back to the
Roman Empire.
• “Cohortes Vigilum” was created in 6 AD.
• Despite these brigades Roman burned down many
times.
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Ancient Beliefs
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• Despite these brigades Roman burned down many
times.
• Fire began to be used more in commerce and
industry.
• After the fall of the Roman Empire, no real fire
forces were seen for over 1000 years.
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Early History and Symbols of the Fire
Service
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• During the Crusades, bands of Knights were
organized into orders.
• Order of “St John of the Hospitaliers.”
• Order of the “Knights of Malta.”
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Early History and Symbols of the Fire
Service
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• Symbol of Order of St. John
was the Red Cross.
• Symbol of the Knights of
Malta was the Maltese Cross.
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The Middle Ages
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• English developed whole set of fire regulations.
• By 1189, all home-owners had to have ladders for an
emergency.
• Arson remained a serious crime.
• Despite prevention, fire continued to devastate.
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The Middle Ages
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• Great fire of London occurred in 1666.
• Many advances occurred during the 200 years that
followed.
• Organized fire departments and a fire insurance
industry were created.
• Fire prevention technology also increased.
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Early American Years
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Settlers brought practices from Europe.
First laws dealt with fire prevention.
Firemarks were used to mark insured houses.
1653 Boston Fire fought with bucket brigades.
1700’s Fire Wardens designated in Boston.
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Firemarks
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Early American Years
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• 1718 - Creation of Fire Societies.
• Era of the Volunteer had begun.
• 1736 - Benjamin Franklin co-founder of Union Fire
Co.
• Benjamin Franklin considered America’s first fire
chief.
• Many other key figures involved in the creation of fire
companies.
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Early American Years
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• 1752 - Benjamin Franklin started Philadelphia
Contributorship.
• Fire marks used to identify insured properties.
• Fire was also used as weapon of war.
• American fire service began to evolve away from
European customs.
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Early American Years
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• 1800-1850’s many fire suppression advances.
• Andrew Gratacap developed American fire helmet.
• In 185O’s volunteers rioted during a fire in Cincinnati,
Ohio, leading to the creation of a full-time, paid
firefighting force in 1853.
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Early American Years
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• Other cities also followed.
• Many communities kept volunteers.
• Today, half of the fire service in the US is still
volunteer.
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America’s First Fire Chief
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Civil War Years
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• Civil War played great role in history of the American
fire service.
• Established command and control structure.
• After the war, veterans were looking for jobs, and
many were drafted into fire departments.
• Horses now pulled heavy pumpers.
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Civil War Years
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• Dalmatians were used to calm horses pulling fire
engines and became a fire service symbol.
• After the war insignia and ranks were used in the
fire service.
• Speaking trumpet became symbol of authority.
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Civil War Years
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• 1873 - fire chiefs formed National Association of Fire
Engineers.
• Today, known as the International Association of Fire
Chiefs (IAFC).
• Despite advances, fire continued to devastate large
cities.
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73rd New York Infantry
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The Industrial Revolution
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• Henry Parolee invented automatic sprinkler system.
• Lead to the formation of the National Fire
Protection Agency.
• Beginning of major fire engineering research.
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The Industrial Revolution
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• 1870’s - Fire alarm was created.
• Most information on hydraulics was done
during this time.
• Daniel Hayes designed first aerial apparatus.
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Steam-Powered Fire Engine
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The Turn of the Century
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• Firefighters formed a labor union, the International
Association of Firefighters.
• Large fire losses put prevention on the forefront of the
fire service.
• Building fire codes were created during this time.
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The Turn of the Century
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• 1920s -Concern of the quality and quantity of fire service
training.
• Education committee was formed to look at training
since most departments had training but there was little
consistency.
• 1931- Firefighting Bulletin Number 155, series 44 was
created by the Federal Board of Vocational Education.
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Turn of the Century
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• All fire service training and education based on
this document.
• Created minimum standards for training of entrylevel fire personnel.
• Lead to the recognition of firefighting as a
separate and distinct occupation.
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Technology, Transition, and Times of
Change
• After World War I the combustion engine was the
power source of choice.
• Combustion engines created a new generation of
fire apparatus.
• Same vehicle could pump, carry hose, and carry
needed equipment to apply water.
• New design called the triple combination engine
company.
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Triple Combination Engine
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Effects of World War II
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• During the war several military projects in fire
suppression occurred.
• Development of the indirect attack method.
• Two important books published:
• Firefighting Tactics and Strategy.
• Attacking and Extinguishing Interior Fires.
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Effects of World War II
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• Fighting flammable liquid fires resulted in improved
foams.
• PPE technology was improved.
• Nozzle technology was improved.
• Use of radio for fire engines improved
communications.
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Effects of World War II
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• Diesel engine introduced.
• Actual job duties of firefighter began to emerge.
• EMS service, hazmat response, and search and rescue
became a part of the fire service.
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Modernization of the Fire Service
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Modernization is a process.
Mission of the firefighter has not changed.
Tools have evolved.
Two major concepts in fire service:
• Information Half-Life.
• Technological Obsolescence.
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The Fire Service of Today
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• Estimated less than 33,000 fire departments in the US. This
number is shrinking due to merging of fire departments.
• In 1970, the Federal government recognized the country’s
fire problem was changing.
• National Commission on Fire Protection and Control was
established.
• Document called “America Burning” was published.
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The Fire Service of Today
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• Lead to creation of the United States Fire
Administration.
• Development of the National Fire Academy.
• Today, fire service is a diverse and complicated
system of delivery.
• Fire service of today contains a great deal of the past.
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The Fire Service of Today
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• Many challenges and opportunities.
• Many changes will be difficult.
• Future requires continued learning and development
of many new skills
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“Firefighters will be called to respond when disaster
strikes the community they serve and they must be
prepared”.