The History of Volunteer Fire Departments in America
Volunteer firefighters have been around in one form or another from the very beginnings of the country. They are the courageous and caring individuals who put their lives on the line every day for their community.Benjamin Franklin, always the innovator, formed the first organized group in Philadelphia in 1736. Fire was a major concern, especially in urban areas where it could easily engulf an entire block, or most of the city. He realized that, while people were more than willing to help in fire emergencies, they could be more effective with some organization.When communities, small villages, and towns, began to form in America, neighbors always came to the aid of other neighbors when emergencies arose. Unfortunately, in the days when wood and coal fired stoves and fireplaces were the norm, one of those emergencies was fire.Early on, the volunteer fire department that came running when you had a fire, consisted of your neighbors, who formed a bucket brigade, throwing water onto the fire from water from your well, and helping you remove important items from your home. Everyone came to help. It was not only the right thing to do, it was expected. And, you never knew when you might need them to return the favor.Later on, even the smallest village obtained some equipment to aid in fire fighting. The first pumpers were basically large tanks of water that were hand pumped through hoses, and pulled by hand around town to the scene of the fire. Volunteers who arrived at the fire depended on which men were available to help, and the call for action came from notifying your neighbor, or later, calling them on the phone. Later, fire bells, or sirens were installed, which let volunteers know that there was an emergency.If your town was larger, and had the facilities, horses were added to pull the pumper wagon, but volunteers were still a haphazard assortment of whoever was available and who could get to the fire first. There was no training involved, no special equipment to protect firefighters from smoke inhalation, no special gear, helmets, or, in many cases, tools for fighting the fire, and getting into burning buildings.Today, volunteer firefighters are still neighbors and local residents who choose to help out when there is an emergency, but the situation is very different. In order to become a firefighter, you must pass a training course in safety, firefighting, and emergency medical treatment. You are trained just as any other career firefighter.Volunteer firefighters today have trucks, pumpers, and emergency EMS vehicles. They also have personal safety equipment, oxygen, specially designed suits, and tools such as the “jaws of life” for rescuing victims of car accidents. They are trained in everything from treating victims of accidents and fire, to handling situations involving environmental hazards, and even performing water rescues. Thanks to today’s technology, they are also in touch through cell phones and pagers.The one thing that hasn’t changed where volunteer firefighters are concerned is the fact that they are volunteers. This is not their vocation, it is their choice. Their devotion to helping their neighbors, their courage, and their ability to face difficult and dangerous situations is still amazing and they are certainly heroes.
