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Chapter 1 Overview of the History, Tradition, and Development of the American Fire Service
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Introduction This chapter covers:
Importance of the mission of the fire service Purpose of a mission statement Major events that alter the history of the fire service History of firefighting and emergency response
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The Mission of the Fire Service
Firefighter tasks are the same all over the world Save lives and property from fire and other emergencies Different fire departments have different approaches Mission synonymous with purpose for existence Legal authority to act in a certain manner Mission statement Written declaration describing things it intends to do to protect citizenry or customers Every individual responsible for mission
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Roots in the Past Factors common to all agencies
Organizational structure Inventory of facilities, apparatus, equipment, methods Programs to protect life and property Categories of programs Fire and emergency operations and fire prevention Arson investigation Training Emergency medical services Communications and maintenance
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Figure 1-1 Understanding the history of the fire service is like climbing a ladder.
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Ancient Beliefs Turning point in human history: recognition of value of fire Initial challenge: manage fire, prevent it from destroying its user Ancient Greeks believed fire was a gift from Prometheus Phoenix myth: fire powerful destroyer and giver of life Ancient cultures used fire; fire destroyed their homes and consumed their property
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Recorded History Vesta: Roman goddess, protector of hearth fire
Hero of Alexandria: created first fire pump 22 B.C.: magistrates reported fire outbreaks at night “Familia publica” organized along military lines A.D. 6: “Cohortes Vigilum” permanent fire brigade Housed in barracks; toured the city at night looking for fires
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Recorded History (cont’d.)
Emperor Augustus created seven cohorts Seven military units under command of a tribune Groups under a prefect (officer of equestrian rank) Each prefect had 500 men, later expanded to 1000 Vigiles were a variety of specialists Roman leaders attempted to regulate building After fall of Rome, no organized fire brigades for 1000 years Legacy of organized firefighting left by Rome
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Figure 1-3 An early European hand-operated pump based on the ancient Roman design.
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Early History and Symbols of the Fire Service
Crusades: Order of Saint John of Hospitaliers Dedicated to treatment of battlefield wounds Knights of Malta Dedicated to saving lives by serving as stretcher-bearers Symbol on uniform and shield determined friend or foe Red cross worn by Order of Saint John Maltese cross worn by Knights of Malta
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Figure 1-4 Symbols taken from history: (A) red cross and
(B) Maltese cross.
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The Middle Ages Fire continued to destroy European cities
Technological advances around the globe not widely available in Europe Fire brigade created in China, not copied in Europe A.D – 1600: English devised fire regulations Laws requiring home owners to have ladders, buckets, and barrels of water handy Arson a serious crime Punishment: to be burned alive
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The Middle Ages (cont’d.)
1666: Great Fire of London Community leaders placed emphasis on elimination of conflagration Next 200 years: creation of almost all basic fire protection institutions of the modern age Organization of fire departments Creation of fire insurance industry Rise of technology to prevent and combat fires
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Early American History
Early regulations on prohibition of wooden chimneys, limitations on candle-making Early settlements built of wood; emphasis on prevention 1637: fire marks used by insurance companies Fires fought by bucket brigades Early 1700s Boston designated fire wardens 1718: fire societies, era of volunteer firefighter 1752: Benjamin Franklin started Philadelphia Contributorship
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Early American History (cont’d.)
Fire companies extinguished only the fires of insured buildings Volunteer firefighters extinguished any fire Fire used as a weapon of war 1800 – 1850: better protection, more powerful hand pumpers, development of fire helmet Arson became common in mid-1800s 1853: first full-time, paid firefighting service Steam-powered fire engine replaced hand-pumps
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The Civil War Establishment of paramilitary organizational practices
Firefighters became soldiers in the Civil War Most of the country’s experienced firefighters were lost to the war Military veterans replaced lost firefighters Introduced military rank structure Command and control similar to infantry tactics Coloration and design of uniforms 1873: National Association of Fire Engineers
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The Industrial Revolution
1870s through 1900: U.S. moved from farming to industry National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Designed and installed automatic sprinklers Standard number 1 Basic research in fire engineering started in: Alarm systems Fire hydraulics Aerial apparatus Steam-powered fire pump
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The Beginning of the Twentieth Century
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU) Evaluated level of fire defense in different cities Emphasis on fire prevention 1920s: firefighter education reform Fire Chief Ralph Scott Firefighting Bulleting Number 155, series 44, Federal Board of Vocational Education, 1931
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Technology, Transition, and Times of Change
Different technology in service simultaneously Pre-World War I stations had both horse-drawn and motorized fire apparatus Several pieces of equipment had to be assembled to fight a fire Internal combustion combined three apparatus into one Advances in ability to reach fire, but not in capacity to fight fire once on the scene
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Figure Triple combination engine companies can carry water and hoses and other equipment as well as pump the water. (Owned and photographed by William Killen)
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The Effects of World War II
War accelerated need to deal with fire Fire still a weapon of war Research resulted in: Indirect attack method Improved foams for use in fire service Improved personal protective clothing Improved fire nozzle technology Fire service became more paramilitary Other innovations: improved communications (radio), diesel engines
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Modernization of the Fire Service
Modernization is a process Information half-life: how long it takes for 50% of information to become obsolete 1700s about 100 years Half-life has decreased with every generation over last 100 years Technological obsolescence: any given technology is only useful for a period of time Steamers replaced hand-pumpers Diesel replaced gasoline
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The Fire Service of Today
Acceleration of change related to duties of firefighter and agency staffing Hazardous materials response Search and rescue Terrorism incidents 1947: National Conference on America’s fire problem (Harry Truman) Texas City Disaster: first catastrophic hazardous materials event in America
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The Fire Service of Today (cont’d.)
1960s Johnson Foundation “Wingspread Conference” 1970s National Commission on Fire Protection and Control “America Burning” United States Fire Administration created Incident command system (ICS) created
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The Fire Service of Today (cont’d.)
Twenty-first century: 30,635 fire departments and 1,140,900 firefighters Fire department in the U.S. responds to one fire every 20 seconds U.S. has fourth highest death rate among industrial nations: one person dies every two hours in a fire
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Figure 1-17 The fire service has expanded into many areas, including hazardous materials response.
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The Fire Service of Today (cont’d.)
The fire service also plays a large role in EMS Figure Firefighters are often called on to assist EMS crews with patient care.
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Lessons Learned Firefighter’s career is like climbing a ladder
We must give due credit to the past Future contains difficult challenges and opportunities Firefighters must develop skills that did not exist previously Motto of the Roman fire brigade “Semper Vigilans” “Always Vigilant”
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