75 Firefighting History Facts That Will Make You Feel Inspired

Going into a burning building and rescuing people is a dangerous job that is not for everyone.

Firefighting is the act of preventing and extinguishing significant unwanted fires. Firefighters combat fires to protect lives, property, and the environment.

Firefighters are required to study at all levels of training as firemen. More significantly, it is critical to maintain training even after they receive their qualifications. While fire departments face the pressures of an ever-changing international stage of events, continuous training offers firefighters the confidence and security of the responsibility they hold.

The History Of Firefighting

In this section, we will look into some facts about the history of firefighting.

The first efforts at firefighting date back to the second century. Ctesibus, an Egyptian from Alexandria, constructed a simple hand pump that could spray a jet of water.

The history of firemen may be traced back to the third century in ancient Rome.

Ancient Rome formed a fire brigade consisting of around 7,000 hired firemen. The Roman fire brigade not only reacted to and extinguished fires, but also patrolled the streets.

Marcus Crassus founded the first Roman fire brigade. Crassus formed his own fire brigade of 500 men who ran into burning buildings when the first need for assistance was made known.

When the firefighters came, Crassus haggled with the property owner about the cost. If Crassus couldn't agree, the firefighters would let the building burn.

Emperor Nero founded the Vigiles, a squad of firemen who offered fire service. They used water buckets and pumps to battle fires.

The Vigiles were a firefighting group that also patrolled Rome's streets. Firemen would form a line and walk hand in hand to the nearest water source. This way, they were able to pass buckets of water to combat the fire.

The earliest organized fire service in Britain is said to have begun with the Roman conquest in AD 43.

Many cities were destroyed throughout the Middle Ages owing to a shortage of firemen. The structures were easy to burn since they were made of wood.

Benjamin Franklin is credited with founding the first volunteer fire service in America. This ultimately became the Union Fire Company.

Beginning in 1736 in Philadelphia, fire 'clubs', or fire brigades, were formed to safeguard the volunteers' own houses.

As improvements in firefighting equipment reached America's shores, so did the need for greater services.

Local insurance companies, like those in Europe, assisted local fire departments. They, in turn, safeguarded insured structures.

By the early 1900s, it was clear that such strong private companies and their related fire service would need government oversight rather than large business.

As a consequence, America entered the industrial era of professional careers and volunteer fire departments sponsored by municipal and district partnerships.

The fire brigades profited from several developments in equipment and operations throughout this great industrial revolution.

The 'Sucking Worm Engine,' was the first fire engine. It was created by John Lofting in London in 1690.

The first fire engine company was established in Boston in 1678.

Reconnaissance is the initial phase of a firefighting effort. It is used to find the source of the fire and identify particular threats.

Water or chemical flame inhibition may all put out a fire.

The National Fire Protection Association in the United States defines the different types of fire.

Famous Firefighters

In the brief history of firefighting, there have been a number of heroes who selflessly did their job. We will learn about some famous firefighters below.

Stuart Roosa, like every other astronaut, had a life full of danger and struggle. He worked as a smokejumper for the Forest Service before becoming an astronaut.

Roosa transported a variety of different tree seedlings into orbit aboard the Kitty Hawk during his mission to the moon. He did this in order to pay honor to his job as a smokejumper.

Jack Pritchard is FDNY's Most Decorated Firefighter. He was given charge of his own unit named Rescue 2. Firefighters from Rescue 2 were known for their ability to walk inside burning buildings and save the lives of all the people inside.

In 1996, Bill Heenan saved a child's life with a one-arm catch as she leaped out of a six-story window. An apartment building in Chicago was completely consumed in flames.

Heenan positioned himself near a window, five stories up on the ladder when he watched an eight-year-old child emerge from the dense black smoke. She leaped to the side of the ladder, next to Heenan, and he was successful in catching her.

Heenan later said in an interview that he merely extended his arm in the hopes of reaching her. With one arm, he grabbed the 80 lb (36.3 kg) falling infant and gently lowered her to safety.

Molly Williams is considered to be the first female firefighter.

Steve Buscemi served in the FDNY's Engine Company as a professional fireman. From 1980 until 1984, he worked in Manhattan's Little Italy neighborhood.

Deanne Shulman, the first female smoke jumper, was a pioneer in her field. As a woman working in a male-dominated field, Shulman defied the norms.

Responsibilities Of A Firefighter

As we have learned from the brief history of firefighting, the responsibilities of a firefighter are many. Let us look at some facts regarding the role of a firefighter.

In an emergency, firemen combat fire and assist in the protection of the public.

Aside from responding to emergency calls, the role of a firefighter entails checking and repairing equipment between usage.

Fire safety is promoted via speeches, guidance, and training sessions.

Firemen's duties also involve assessing and enforcing fire safety requirements in buildings and organizing drills in the classroom.

Firefighters need to complete physical and intellectual training with police and ambulance service employees.

Firemen are divided into two categories: full-time paid firefighters and retained firefighters.

Retained firefighters, apart from training, are generally employed in other jobs. They only visit the fire station for call-outs.

Working a 24-hour shift is a common part of the profession.

With or without a degree, anyone may become a fireman. Any formal academic credentials are not required to join.

However, health and safety certifications, as well as a more practical degree in fire and rescue, may be beneficial.

Training is an important aspect of the job. New firefighters go through a rigorous training program.

To be employed as a firefighter, one must meet a certain level of fitness.

Firemen must maintain that level of fitness while in employment.

The important characteristics and abilities of a firefighter include excellent physical health, resiliency, and the capacity to operate effectively under pressure.

Firemen must also have solid communication abilities.

The uniform of a fire-fighter is comprised of special fabrics that can resist fire and temperatures up to 2,200 degrees F (1,204.4 degrees C). It protects the wearer from the absorption of powerful acids and alkalis.

Oxygen masks are worn by a fireman. To ensure that the mask fits snugly, there should be no piercings, or hair on the face, according to safety requirements.

Japanese fire brigades utilized a unique fire-fighting approach in the past. They entered a blazing home wearing wet clothing to avoid catching fire. The walls were destroyed to prevent the fire from spreading further. They then waited for the fire to go out on its own.

Water transported in automobiles is sufficient to last for 10 minutes. This is enough time to begin extinguishing the fire.

After this period, firemen locate the closest hydrant or pond from which they may draw water.

Firefighters are not only responsible for limiting the spread of fire, but also for attempting to extinguish it as quickly as possible.

Firefighters usually get extensive technical training. This includes both structural and wildland firefighting.

Because the government does not have the funds to run a fire department, in many nations, volunteers work in the fire department.

In Chile, thousands of firemen volunteer and pay monthly fees in exchange for specialized training in firefighting. They are called Bomberos.

In some nations, being a fireman requires either a higher degree certificate or specialized training.

In the past, Dalmatians would bark ahead of a fire department, clearing the way for the horses to pass.

Although Dalmatians are still a popular choice for firemen, dogs of various kinds are often used in the profession. A dog may locate a victim by smelling them or hearing a distress cry.

The arrival of motorized automobiles and fire engines marked the end of the Dalmatians' role as the fire department's coaching dogs.

The first fire brigade in Philadelphia was founded by Benjamin Franklin. Bucket Brigade was the nickname for these firemen.

A firefighter must complete 100 hours of training before entering the inside of a burning building.

Firefighters should take less than two minutes to put on their uniforms and gear. This includes all of their equipment.

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death among firefighters. Over 45% of firefighters who die in the line of duty die as a result of cardiac problems.

The Invention Of Firefighting

The occurrenceof serious fires throughout the country led to the invention of firefighting. We will now look into some facts about fire service history.

The first organized fire department we know of started almost 2,000 years ago in Rome under the leadership of Augustus Caesar.

Every night, about 500 slaves known as the 'vigilant corps' were dispatched over the city. They were given badges to identify them to the guards entrusted with executing fugitive slaves.

This bodyguard service, offered by noblemen, became profitable under Emperor Nero. Building owners and merchants had the option of either paying for suppression or selling the burned-out building.

The first 'professional' firemen were known as Sapeurs-Pompiers. Created by Napoleon Bonaparte, they were members of the French Army.

This crude firefighting system kept Rome safe until AD 64 when great fires destroyed two-thirds of the city.

During the same era, Rome invaded Britain, bringing with them the notion of fire brigades.

It wasn't until the 1600s that England had completely rebuilt and evolved as a nation. It led to the development of various fire companies around the country.

In 1666, the heart of London was engulfed in flames during the Great Fire of London. It destroyed the medieval City of London, which had been enclosed inside the ancient Roman city walls.

Because of the Great Fire of London, insurance firms established their own fire companies to serve their customers. These fire departments exclusively deal with blazes that break out in insured homes.

Jan Van der Heyden, a Dutch artist, invented the first fire hose in 1672.

In the mid 1700s, George Washington volunteered as a firefighter with the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Company.

The fire department benefited from several developments in equipment and operations throughout the industrial revolution.

The Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment was formed by James Braidwood in 1824. It became the world's first municipally organized fire department.

James Braidwood helped create the London Fire Engine Establishment in 1833.