Volunteer fire services have a proud and strong tradition in the US. Since colonial times, communities work together to fight fires that threaten urban centers. Several founders of the US including Thomas Jefferson and George Washington felt the call of duty and served in support of local fire brigades. The years 2011 and 2012 marks the 275 anniversary of America’s volunteer fire services.
Benjamin Franklin was the founder of the Union Fire Company, in Philadelphia that points to the start of America’s modern volunteer fire services. There have been dynamic changes in firefighting technology equipment, scope, and training in the fire services over the years. Ideally, an idea that still endures is that after a disaster strikes, the nation relies on bold volunteers who are willing to put their lives to harm to protect people and communities. Therefore, to comprehend fire services today, this paper critically examines the heritage and the emergence of volunteer fire services in the United States.
Over time, the fire has been a threat to America. The realization of the potential destruction abilities was after fire struck the first colonial settlement of Jamestown that led to the destruction of storehouses and homes. Also, fire played a fortuitous role during the founding of New Amsterdam when a fire on Dutch ship forced explorers to come ashore at Manhattan islands. A decade later, many of the permanent inhabitants in England had to find safety aboard Mayflower after a fire destroyed their meeting house.
Crowded in close wooden frame houses with thatched roofs posed a significant risk to early settlers who lived in constant dangers of fire. Ideally, firefighting was comprehended as a responsibility for the non-disabled male individuals in a particular community. The fire was suppressed through the use of bucket brigades an activity that involved passing of water buckets to the fire. The brigades were however not effective.
Until the evolution of advanced technology to replace water brigades, civic leaders focused on exertions of fire preventions and detection. In the early years, leaders outlawed thatched roofs and wooden chimneys. Also, codes were enacted fire wardens were given mandates to inspect chimneys and levy fines. Later, a paid team of watchmen began patrolling on the streets at night, and they were prepared to shake rattles and cause alarm to alert people of fire. The administrations continued to develop fire services and adopted several codes that served to equip every home with adequate water supply. A later blaze prompted laws to purchase a fire engine equipped with a drive pump that could expel water through a hose. Ideally, the Bostons fire engine needed a led team that filled the tub, several men to transport the fire engine and also operate.
The worst fire struck colonial America in Boston destroyed several dwellings. In response to the menace, the country communities established mutual fire societies that pledged to protect lives and property in case of fire occurrence. In a visit to the Boston city, Benjamin Franklin, a businessman, noted Boston’s preparedness to fight fires. Upon returning to his city, Benjamin published articles that pointed out the needs of firefighting in Philadephia. Franklin is then considered to be the first American co-founder of the Union Fire Company that became a volunteer company throughout colonies.
Unaffiliated with municipal administration the units were viewed small and different from Boston’s mutual help societies that were devoted to protecting the lives and property of their members. On the other hand, Philadelphia volunteers pledged to fight fires in real time. Ideally, as volunteer units continued to establish throughout the colonies, several people became instrumental to America’s independence including George Washington and Samuel Adams who became influential and served as firefighters.
The end of the revolution brought a shift in the composition of America’s volunteer fire services. Notably, under the British realm, a firefighter was considered to be businessmen and civic leaders such as Washington and Franklin. After America’s independence, the increase of firefighters who were skilled including coopers and blacksmiths were intent on electing their leaders. During the era above, firefighting volunteers entered a sort of golden age in which firefighters who left their comfort homes and work put themselves into dangers without anticipations of rewards, were regarded as sort of urban folk heroes. Also, lithographers including Jim and Nat Collier who were firemen volunteers aided in the image cultivation in the mid 19th century through the production of prints that exalted firefighters. Therefore, firehouse emerged as a centerpiece for several neighborhoods and firefighters wielded a potential developing influence.
However, the state’s increasing urban densities along with amplifying working class segregation and the mounting violence of countries on the verge of civil wars led to a shift. Despite the growth of firefighters stature and political influence, some firefighters traded off the image and became hostile and corrupt. Ideally, the rivalries amid public volunteer fire companies became brutal and evoked a sense of pride that consequently resulted in violent struggles.
The fire companies played a leading role in several urban riots, and municipal authorities had no power to discipline its members to halt the violence. Notably, the companies mischief worked to diminish the public image of volunteer firefighters. Regardless of the robust municipal services offered by firefighters, their positions were demoted by thugs in the company commonly referred to as street gangs. Therefore, the results led to people’s anticipation of change.
The ideology of firefighting as a career with technological advances ushers a new age of profound change in fire services. The firefighting profession presently integrates training and education that helps specific personnel standard. Primarily, in the modern era, the motorized fire engines became widespread and affordable to fire volunteer companies an achievement that increases the range and speed of companies to reach fires.
Also, technological inventions cropped at fire departments with a portable apparatus that enabled firefighters to get close to fire without inhaling smoke. While the states volunteer firefighters outnumbered paid firefighters through a considerable margin, they, however, face funding challenges to acquire new resources. In the mid-century, it was evident that the benefits offered by fire services through technological advancements including radio communications and internal combustion engines help to alleviate states fire problems.
This research paper reveals that fire service has arguably changed over the years. The Americas are burning processes initially that begun within firefighting occupation entails mutual help agreements increased integration amid paid and volunteer firefighting personnel, increased specialized services offered in both urban and rural departments and the combination of departments that are becoming common. Also, the emergence of emergency medical services has become standard for several departments tasks that include responses, search and rescue operations.
Works Cited
- ‘Franklin, Benjamin.’. “Franklin, Benjamin.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed, Encyclopedia.com, 2019, www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/benjamin-franklin.
- “Union Fire Company.” Benjamin Franklin Historical Society, www.benjamin-franklin-history.org/union-fire-company/.
