Overview of the History, Tradition, and Development of the American Fire Service

1. Overview of the History, Tradition, and Development of the American Fire Service

2. CHAPTER 1 Objectives (1 of 2) • Describe the role of the firefighter in the fire service. • Define the importance of the mission of the fire service and the purpose of a mission statement.

3. CHAPTER 1 Objectives (2 of 2) • Identify the major events that have altered the history of the fire service.

4. CHAPTER 1 The Mission of the Fire Service • Mission statement is a written declaration. • “To save life and property.” • Fire departments range from small volunteer companies to large metropolitan departments.

5. CHAPTER 1 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.

6. CHAPTER 1 Ancient Beliefs • Fire can be traced back to Greek mythology. • Romans worshipped fire and respected its power.

7. CHAPTER 1 Recorded History (1 of 2) • First organized fire department goes back to the Roman Empire. • “Cohortes Vigilum” was created in 6 AD. • Despite these brigades, Rome burned down many times.

8. CHAPTER 1 Recorded History (2 of 2) • 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.

9. CHAPTER 1 Early History and Symbols of the Fire Service (1 of 2) • During the Crusades, bands of Knights were organized into orders. • Order of “St John of the Hospitaliers” • Order of the “Knights of Malta”

10. CHAPTER 1 Early History and Symbols of the Fire Service (2 of 2) • Symbol of Order of St. John was the Red Cross. • Symbol of the Knights of Malta was the Maltese Cross.

11. CHAPTER 1 The Middle Ages (1 of 2) • English developed a whole set of fire regulations. • By 1189, all homeowners had to have ladders for an emergency. • Arson remained a serious crime. • Despite prevention, fire continued to devastate.

12. CHAPTER 1 The Middle Ages (2 of 2) • 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.

13. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (1 of 5) • Settlers brought practices from Europe. • First laws dealt with fire prevention. • Firemarks were used to mark insured houses. • 1653 • Boston fire was fought with bucket brigades. • 1700s • Fire wardens designated in Boston.

14. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (2 of 5) • 1718 - Creation of Fire Societies • Era of the Volunteer began • 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

15. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (3 of 5) • In 1752, Benjamin Franklin started Philadelphia Contributorship. • Firemarks used to identify insured properties. • Fire was also used as weapon of war. • American fire service began to evolve away from European customs.

16. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (4 of 5) • 1800-1850s there were many fire suppression advances. • Andrew Gratacap developed the American fire helmet. • In 185Os, volunteers rioted during a fire in Cincinnati, Ohio, leading to the creation of a full-time, paid firefighting force in 1853.

17. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (5 of 5) • Other cities also followed. • Many communities kept volunteers. • Today, half of the fire service in the United States is still volunteer.

18. CHAPTER 1 Firemarks

19. CHAPTER 1 America’s First Fire Chief

20. CHAPTER 1 Civil War Years (1 of 3) • Civil War played a great role in history of the American fire service. • Command and control structure was established. • After the war, veterans were looking for jobs, and many were drafted into fire departments. • Horses now pulled heavy pumpers.

21. CHAPTER 1 Civil War Years (2 of 3) • 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. • The speaking trumpet became a symbol of authority.

22. CHAPTER 1 Civil War Years (3 of 3) • In 1873, fire chiefs formed the National Association of Fire Engineers. • Today, known as the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) • Despite advances, fire continued to devastate large cities.

23. CHAPTER 1 73rd New York Infantry

24. CHAPTER 1 The Industrial Revolution (1 of 2) • Henry Parolee invented automatic sprinkler system. • Led to the formation of the National Fire Protection Agency • Beginning of major fire engineering research

25. CHAPTER 1 The Industrial Revolution (2 of 2) • 1870s • Fire alarm was created. • Most information on hydraulics was done during this time. • Daniel Hayes designed first aerial apparatus.

26. CHAPTER 1 Steam-powered Fire Engine

27. CHAPTER 1 The Turn of the Century (1 of 3) • 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.

28. CHAPTER 1 The Turn of the Century (2 of 3) • 1920s • Concern of the quality and quantity of fire service training • Education committee formed to look at training since most departments had training, but there was little consistency

29. CHAPTER 1 Turn of the Century (3 of 3) • 1931 • Firefighting Bulletin Number 155, series 44, was created by the Federal Board of Vocational Education. • All fire service training and education was based on this document. • Created minimum standards for training of entry-level fire personnel. • Lead to the recognition of firefighting as a separate and distinct occupation.

30. CHAPTER 1 Technology, Transition, and Times of Change • After World War I, the combustion engine was the power source of choice. • Created a new generation of fire apparatus • The same vehicle could pump, carry hose, and carry needed equipment to apply water. • New design was called the triple combination engine company.

31. CHAPTER 1 Triple Combination Engine

32. CHAPTER 1 Effects of World War II (1 of 3) • 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

33. CHAPTER 1 Effects of World War II (2 of 3) • Fighting flammable liquid fires resulted in improved foams. • PPE technology was improved. • Nozzle technology was improved. • Use of radio for fire engines improved communications.

34. CHAPTER 1 Effects of World War II (3 of 3) • The diesel engine was introduced. • Actual job duties of firefighter began to emerge. • EMS service, hazmat response, and search and rescue became a part of the fire service.

35. CHAPTER 1 Modernization of the Fire Service • Mission of the firefighter unchanged • Tools evolved • Two major concepts in fire service • Information half-life • Technological obsolescence

36. CHAPTER 1 The Fire Service of Today (1 of 4) • There are an estimated 33,000 fire departments in the US. • 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.

37. CHAPTER 1 The Fire Service of Today (2 of 4) • Lead to creation of the United States Fire Administration and the development of the National Fire Academy • Today, fire service a diverse and complicated system of delivery • Contains a great deal of the past

38. CHAPTER 1 The Fire Service of Today (3 of 4) • Many challenges and opportunities • Many changes difficult • Continued learning and development of many new skills required

39. The Fire Service of Today (4 of 4) CHAPTER 1 • “Firefighters will be called to respond when disaster strikes the community they serve and they must be prepared”.

40. Summary • Saving lives and property from fire remains the central mission. • The task of firefighting is an old, yet constantly evolving occupation. • The future of firefighting will contain many challenges and opportunities. • Firefighters need to continue to learn and develop skills as new technologies and methods are developed.