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Overview of the History, Tradition, and Development of the American Fire Service

Overview of the History, Tradition, and Development of the American Fire Service. CHAPTER. 1. Objectives (1 of 2). Describe the role of the firefighter in the fire service. Define the importance of the mission of the fire service and the purpose of a mission statement. CHAPTER. 1.

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Overview of the History, Tradition, and Development of the American Fire Service

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  1. Overview of the History, Tradition, and Development of the American Fire Service

  2. CHAPTER 1 Objectives (1 of 2) • Describe the role of the firefighter in the fire service. • Define the importance of the mission of the fire service and the purpose of a mission statement.

  3. CHAPTER 1 Objectives (2 of 2) • Identify the major events that have altered the history of the fire service.

  4. CHAPTER 1 The Mission of the Fire Service • Mission statement is a written declaration. • “To save life and property.” • Fire departments range from small volunteer companies to large metropolitan departments.

  5. CHAPTER 1 Roots in the Past • Firefighting has always been a courageous act. • Firefighting is an old, but a constantly evolving occupation. • Everything a fire agency does to protect its citizens is rooted in events of the past.

  6. CHAPTER 1 Ancient Beliefs • Fire can be traced back to Greek mythology. • Romans worshipped fire and respected its power.

  7. CHAPTER 1 Recorded History (1 of 2) • First organized fire department goes back to the Roman Empire. • “Cohortes Vigilum” was created in 6 AD. • Despite these brigades, Rome burned down many times.

  8. CHAPTER 1 Recorded History (2 of 2) • Fire began to be used more in commerce and industry. • After the fall of the Roman Empire, no real fire forces were seen for over 1000 years.

  9. CHAPTER 1 Early History and Symbols of the Fire Service (1 of 2) • During the Crusades, bands of Knights were organized into orders. • Order of “St John of the Hospitaliers” • Order of the “Knights of Malta”

  10. CHAPTER 1 Early History and Symbols of the Fire Service (2 of 2) • Symbol of Order of St. John was the Red Cross. • Symbol of the Knights of Malta was the Maltese Cross.

  11. CHAPTER 1 The Middle Ages (1 of 2) • English developed a whole set of fire regulations. • By 1189, all homeowners had to have ladders for an emergency. • Arson remained a serious crime. • Despite prevention, fire continued to devastate.

  12. CHAPTER 1 The Middle Ages (2 of 2) • Great fire of London occurred in 1666. • Many advances occurred during the 200 years that followed. • Organized fire departments and a fire insurance industry were created. • Fire prevention technology also increased.

  13. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (1 of 5) • Settlers brought practices from Europe. • First laws dealt with fire prevention. • Firemarks were used to mark insured houses. • 1653 • Boston fire was fought with bucket brigades. • 1700s • Fire wardens designated in Boston.

  14. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (2 of 5) • 1718 - Creation of Fire Societies • Era of the Volunteer began • 1736 - Benjamin Franklin co-founder of Union Fire Co. • Benjamin Franklin considered America’s first fire chief • Many other key figures involved in the creation of fire companies

  15. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (3 of 5) • In 1752, Benjamin Franklin started Philadelphia Contributorship. • Firemarks used to identify insured properties. • Fire was also used as weapon of war. • American fire service began to evolve away from European customs.

  16. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (4 of 5) • 1800-1850s there were many fire suppression advances. • Andrew Gratacap developed the American fire helmet. • In 185Os, volunteers rioted during a fire in Cincinnati, Ohio, leading to the creation of a full-time, paid firefighting force in 1853.

  17. CHAPTER 1 Early American Years (5 of 5) • Other cities also followed. • Many communities kept volunteers. • Today, half of the fire service in the United States is still volunteer.

  18. CHAPTER 1 Firemarks

  19. CHAPTER 1 America’s First Fire Chief

  20. CHAPTER 1 Civil War Years (1 of 3) • Civil War played a great role in history of the American fire service. • Command and control structure was established. • After the war, veterans were looking for jobs, and many were drafted into fire departments. • Horses now pulled heavy pumpers.

  21. CHAPTER 1 Civil War Years (2 of 3) • Dalmatians were used to calm horses pulling fire engines and became a fire service symbol. • After the war, insignia and ranks were used in the fire service. • The speaking trumpet became a symbol of authority.

  22. CHAPTER 1 Civil War Years (3 of 3) • In 1873, fire chiefs formed the National Association of Fire Engineers. • Today, known as the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) • Despite advances, fire continued to devastate large cities.

  23. CHAPTER 1 73rd New York Infantry

  24. CHAPTER 1 The Industrial Revolution (1 of 2) • Henry Parolee invented automatic sprinkler system. • Led to the formation of the National Fire Protection Agency • Beginning of major fire engineering research

  25. CHAPTER 1 The Industrial Revolution (2 of 2) • 1870s • Fire alarm was created. • Most information on hydraulics was done during this time. • Daniel Hayes designed first aerial apparatus.

  26. CHAPTER 1 Steam-powered Fire Engine

  27. CHAPTER 1 The Turn of the Century (1 of 3) • Firefighters formed a labor union, the International Association of Firefighters. • Large fire losses put prevention on the forefront of the fire service. • Building fire codes were created during this time.

  28. CHAPTER 1 The Turn of the Century (2 of 3) • 1920s • Concern of the quality and quantity of fire service training • Education committee formed to look at training since most departments had training, but there was little consistency

  29. CHAPTER 1 Turn of the Century (3 of 3) • 1931 • Firefighting Bulletin Number 155, series 44, was created by the Federal Board of Vocational Education. • All fire service training and education was based on this document. • Created minimum standards for training of entry-level fire personnel. • Lead to the recognition of firefighting as a separate and distinct occupation.

  30. CHAPTER 1 Technology, Transition, and Times of Change • After World War I, the combustion engine was the power source of choice. • Created a new generation of fire apparatus • The same vehicle could pump, carry hose, and carry needed equipment to apply water. • New design was called the triple combination engine company.

  31. CHAPTER 1 Triple Combination Engine

  32. CHAPTER 1 Effects of World War II (1 of 3) • During the war, several military projects in fire suppression occurred. • Development of the indirect attack method • Two important books published • Firefighting Tactics and Strategy • Attacking and Extinguishing Interior Fires

  33. CHAPTER 1 Effects of World War II (2 of 3) • Fighting flammable liquid fires resulted in improved foams. • PPE technology was improved. • Nozzle technology was improved. • Use of radio for fire engines improved communications.

  34. CHAPTER 1 Effects of World War II (3 of 3) • The diesel engine was introduced. • Actual job duties of firefighter began to emerge. • EMS service, hazmat response, and search and rescue became a part of the fire service.

  35. CHAPTER 1 Modernization of the Fire Service • Mission of the firefighter unchanged • Tools evolved • Two major concepts in fire service • Information half-life • Technological obsolescence

  36. CHAPTER 1 The Fire Service of Today (1 of 4) • There are an estimated 33,000 fire departments in the US. • In 1970, the Federal government recognized the country’s fire problem was changing. • National Commission on Fire Protection and Control was established. • Document called “America Burning” was published.

  37. CHAPTER 1 The Fire Service of Today (2 of 4) • Lead to creation of the United States Fire Administration and the development of the National Fire Academy • Today, fire service a diverse and complicated system of delivery • Contains a great deal of the past

  38. CHAPTER 1 The Fire Service of Today (3 of 4) • Many challenges and opportunities • Many changes difficult • Continued learning and development of many new skills required

  39. The Fire Service of Today (4 of 4) CHAPTER 1 • “Firefighters will be called to respond when disaster strikes the community they serve and they must be prepared”.

  40. Summary • Saving lives and property from fire remains the central mission. • The task of firefighting is an old, yet constantly evolving occupation. • The future of firefighting will contain many challenges and opportunities. • Firefighters need to continue to learn and develop skills as new technologies and methods are developed.

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