This chapter discusses the early history and traditions of fire services. It describes how the earliest firefighters were servants who protected Rome, and how the first fire pump and engines were developed. Early firefighting in America involved bucket brigades and volunteer fire companies. Technologies like steam engines, chemical engines, ladders and protective gear were introduced over time to improve firefighting. Major historic fires in North America impacted developments in public and firefighter safety. The modern fire service has grown out of these early traditions but maintains the core mission of protecting lives and property.

1. Fire and Emergency
Services Orientation and
Terminology
5th Edition
Chapter 3 — Early Traditions
and History

2. Learning Objective 1
Describe the early history of fire
services.
3–2

3. The earliest firefighters were
servants who protected Rome.
3–3

4. The first fire pump was
described around the Third
Century BCE.
3–4

5. REVIEW QUESTION
What was probably one of the first
pieces of fire equipment to be invented?
3–5

6. Several laws were passed in an
attempt to prevent fires.
3–6

7. London passed a law requiring
hooks to pull down the house
to create a fire break.
3-7

8. During the 17th century, there
were several causes of fire in
England.
3–8

9. Britain’s first fire brigades only
responded to buildings
displaying their company’s mark.
3–9

10. Richard Newsham developed
one of the first fire engines in
1721.
3–10
Courtesy of Fireman’s Hall Museum

11. REVIEW QUESTION
How did the invention of the fire engine
help lead to the formation of early fire
departments?
3–11

12. Learning Objective 3
Discuss fire protection in early America.
3–12

13. The settlement of Jamestown led
to the formation of bucket
brigades.
3–13

14. In the early 1600s, fire
wardens provided fire
protection.
3–14

15. Fire masters were established
in New Amsterdam in 1647.
3–15

16. Today’s fire departments began
as mutual fire societies and
volunteer fire companies.
3–16

17. REVIEW QUESTION
What was the first city in the United
States to have a fire department?
3–17

18. Early insurance companies
insured against fires as well as
responded to them.
3–18

19. Learning Objective 3
Describe early American fire equipment.
3–19

20. Thomas Lote manufactured the
first fire engine in America in
1743.
3–20

21. New York-style hand engines
replaced antiquated machines.
3–21
Click
image to
play

22. Piano-type engines included
permanent attachment of
suction hose.
3–22

23. Manufacturers all over America
were soon developing engines.
3–23

24. Hand engines improved
greatly over time.
3–24

25. Fire extinguishers have
evolved through the years.
3–25

26. Public communication has
evolved along with emergency
response services.
3–26

27. REVIEW QUESTION
What effect has developing technology
had on emergency notification
systems?
3–27

28. Learning Objective 4
Explain how the growth of the volunteer
fire service affects modern-day fire and
emergency services.
3–28

29. Volunteer fire fighting spread
after the Revolutionary War.
3–29

30. The first hose company was
created in Philadelphia.
3–30

31. Learning Objective 5
Describe how the age of steam affects
modern-day fire and emergency
services.
3–31

32. The steam engine led to the
end of the hand-operated
machine.
3–32
Courtesy of Nethercutt Collection

33. Steam engines were pulled by
a team of two horses.
3–33

34. Learning Objective 6
Identify key developments from the
chemical engine and early ladder trucks
that are still used in modern-day fire
and emergency services.
3–34

35. Chemical engines carried
tanks of soda and a carbonic
acid preparation.
3–35

36. Ladder companies transported
ladders, ropes, hooks, and
other equipment.
3–36

37. Learning Objective 7
Tell how improvements to protective
clothing and self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) impact modern-day
fire practices.
3–37

38. Improvements have been made
to helmets and protective
clothing.
3–38

39. The creation of SCBA dates
back to as early as 1795.
3–39

40. The increasing use of SCBA has
caused technological changes.
3–40

41. REVIEW QUESTION
How have improvements to protective
clothing affected modern fire fighting
practices?
3–41

42. Learning Objective 8
Indicate how developments in gasoline-and
diesel-powered equipment has
changed modern-day fire practices.
3–42

43. The transfer to gasoline-powered
engines was gradual.
3–43
Courtesy of Ron Jeffers

44. Learning Objective 9
Explain how the modern-day philosophy
of public safety is impacted by historic
fires in North America.
3–44

45. Historic fires had a great impact
on public safety in North
America.
3–45

46. Learning Objective 10
Explain how the modern-day philosophy
of firefighter safety is impacted by
historic fires in North America.
3–46

47. Firefighter safety has been
greatly impacted by several
historic fires in North America.
3–47

48. Several changes have reduced
firefighter deaths and injuries.
3–48

49. REVIEW QUESTION
How have past tragedies influenced the
fields of fire protection and code
enforcement today?
3–49

50. Summary
• The fire service has grown and changed
greatly, but its mission remains the same:
To protect lives and property of citizens.
• The role of the fire department has grown
dramatically, and great changes have
been made in the ways firefighters
operate at the emergency scene.
3–50