Firefighting is a brave and noble profession that was brought to America from Europe. Before the invention of fire engines, bucket brigades were common. These consisted of men passing buckets of water to each other to extinguish a fire. Today, firefighters have the use of many tools, including water trucks, fire hydrants, and planes. Fire brigades and companies were initially all volunteer, but nowadays they also include paid positions that allow people to develop a life-long career dedicated to firefighting.

Fire Basics

Fires are formed by the chemical reaction that occurs between oxygen and combustible materials. This reaction causes the release of flames, smoke, and heat. Different fire types are based on groupings of combustible material. These types are ordinary combustibles (paper, cloth, wood, plastics), electrical equipment, flammable liquids, and cooking oils. Modern household fire extinguishers were created to help put out small fires that occur in confined spaces. There are specific fire extinguishers that are made to combat specific types of fires. Using the wrong type of extinguisher can be extremely hazardous.

• Fire Behavior and Chemistry ��� This site discusses the anatomy and chemistry of fires and provides information on fire types.
• Types of Fires and Fire Extinguishers ��� Types of fires and fire extinguishers are discussed, along with a quiz.
• Fire Extinguishers (PDF) ��� Information on fire extinguishers, how to use them, and types of fires.
• OSHA- Extinguisher Basics ��� Discussion of fire extinguisher types from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Fire ��� Fire safety information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• American Red Cross- Fires ��� Fire prevention and safety checklist from the American Red Cross.
• U.S. Fire Administration ��� Fire safety information from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Firefighting Beginnings

The earliest development and organization of fire brigades occurred in Europe. Marcus Licinius Crassus created the first fire brigade in the city of Rome, Italy. His system of dealing with fires consisted of him and his men, about 500 strong, responding to a fire call and then bargaining with the property owners over compensation before beginning any firefighting work. If he could not get a satisfactory price for the service, he and his men would just allow the property to burn down. Later, he would offer to buy the property at a substantial discount. Augustus modeled his system of bucket brigades after Crassus' system.

In time, firefighting breakthroughs occurred throughout Europe. Private fire brigades were created by insurance companies in London in order to protect the property of clients. In the 17^th century, the first fire engines were developed, along with improvements in pumps and the development and addition of hoses.

• A Little Fire Service History ��� This site contains information about the history of fire services.
• FASNY Museum of Firefighting ��� Educational information about the history of firefighting, with lots of photos detailing the gear, trucks, and other equipment used.
• The History of Fire Fighting (PDF) ��� A site with lots of facts about firefighting history, fire prevention, and equipment.
• The Hall of Flame ��� Photos and facts on early firefighting equipment from the Hall of Flame Fire Museum.

History of Firefighting in the United States

Firefighting in the United States began with the colony of New Amsterdam, later re-named New York City. Here, fire wardens would inspect chimneys and fine property owners for any potential hazards found. In the 1730s, New York received the first water-pumping engines. The first volunteer fire company of America, the Union Fire Company, was founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin. Soon afterward, other colonies started forming their own volunteer fire companies. These early fire brigades and companies were privately ran, and government-run fire departments were not seen until the 1860s, near the time of the Civil War. In April of 1853, the Cincinnati, Ohio Fire Department became the first paid fire department in the US. Today, firefighting consists of a mix of paid and volunteer firefighters.

• Smokey Bear ��� Wildfire information from Smokey Bear.
• National Interagency Fire Center ��� Information on wildfire prevention and fighting wildfires from the National Interagency Fire Center.
• Wildfires ��� A preparation guide to help keep your family and property safe from wildfires.
• Active Fire Mapping Program ��� Up-to-date mapping of wildfires across the United States from the USDA Forest Service.
• National Fire Fighter Corp ��� This web store has information and pictures on the various types of gear and equipment used by firefighters.
• The History of Volunteer Firefighting ��� Information regarding the history of volunteer firefighting in the US by the Marinwood Fire Department.
• Fire and Firefighting in Colonial America ��� An essay on fire and firefighting in colonial America from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
• Escape Through Time-Fire ��� A look at the gear commonly worn by firefighters.

Firefighter Traditions

Traditions can be seen extensively throughout modern fire departments and companies. Examples include the Maltese Cross, red fire engines, bagpipes at funerals, and many others. The Maltese Cross, formerly the Cross of Calvary, is a world-wide symbol of the fire service. It gets its name from the island of Malta, and it was used as a symbol to identify allies from foes during the Crusades. In this era of fighting, fire was often used as a weapon. The symbol has since come to represent the principles of protection, loyalty, and charity, among others. The traditional red color of the fire engine is most widely attributed to the 1800s, when firefighters would often compete to have the best-looking and cleanest fire engines. Most companies chose to paint their engines red because red was the most expensive color and because of its regalness. When the Irish and Scots immigrated to the US, they brought their tradition of bagpipes at weddings, funerals, and festivals with them. During the great potato famine, there was a massive influx of Irish immigrants to the East Coast of the US. At that time, many could only find work as either policemen or firefighters. When these immigrant firefighters and policemen were killed in the line of duty, their funerals were marked by the playing of the bagpipes. Soon after, the tradition spread to funerals of all firefighters and police, even those without Irish or Scottish ties.

• Fire Department Traditions ��� Information on fire department traditions from the Kemah Fire Department.
• History of Fire Fighting ��� A brief history of firefighting along with the history of some traditional firefighter symbols from the Grand Lake Fire Protection District.
• Fire Department Traditions ��� Examples of fire department traditions from the Professional Firefighters of Rockland, Massachusetts.

9/11 Firefighters

On September 11, 2001, the New York City Fire Department responded to one of the worst disasters in our nation's history. Terrorists had attacked the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York. While the brave firefighters attempted to fight the fires in the buildings and rescue wounded civilians, the towers collapsed, causing the deaths of 343 New York City firefighters along with over 2000 people who were in the towers at the time.

• The 343 ��� A site dedicated to the brave New York City firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.
• New York City Fire Museum ��� Information about the history of firefighting in New York City, along with information about their fire museum.
• New York City Fire Department- History of Fire Service ��� The history of fire service in New York City from the New York City Fire Department.