Philadelphia is one of the largest and wealthiest cities in colonial America. One day, the authorities faced significant problems related to fire protection. There were many wooden buildings, located close to each other. However, there was no organized fire protection, which posed a great threat to the residents. Facing this problem, Philadelphia solved it and created an organized fire department. Read more on philadelphia1.one.
Creation of an official fire department
On March 15, 1871, 355 men came to Spring Garden Hall. Each of them stood in line to take the oath to the newly created fire department. Each recruit was allocated to one of the twenty-two cars.
All members of the team signed an agreement and became members of the Philadelphia Fire Department. They agreed to comply with all ordinances of the councils and the rules and regulations of the fire commissioners, as they pertained to this particular service.
Before going to their first service, everyone received identification marks. This equipment was not provided by the draft law, so the costs fell on the workers. The newcomers had to buy everything again because their predecessors paid the full price, which no one returned to them.
Predecessor of official service
Before Philadelphia had an official fire department, a volunteer fire department was established in 1736. The founder of the first such service was Benjamin Franklin. He was a founding father who did a lot for our city. One of his accomplishments is Union Fire Company, which worked on a voluntary basis. It became the first such place in America. After Philadelphia got firefighters, more and more new fire companies started opening up in the city. Later, this trend spread throughout the country.
At the time, workers were equipped with primitive firefighting tools such as leather buckets, hand pumps and grappling hooks to remove burning structures. Even with such tools, the courageous workers of the Union without any hesitation went into the very heart of danger. Their task was to fight the flames and save lives. For years, they tried to help the residents of Philadelphia with primitive equipment and earned the admiration and gratitude of every citizen. Thanks to its unwavering determination, the fire company later became a symbol of courage and social movement.
It would not have happened without Benjamin Franklin. Therefore, it is not surprising that he tried to help his creation. He designed the first fire engine in America. In those days, it became known as the Philadelphia Pump. It helped and enhanced the company’s ability to fight fires throughout the city.
Signs
In the time of Benjamin Franklin, there were two signs, the Maltese cross and the Star of Life. The first one appeared during the time of the Crusades and was a symbol for the knights of the campaign.
The Knights of St. John opposed the Saracens for the right to own the holy land. They encountered a weapon unknown to them, fire. Enemies doused the soldiers with flammable liquid and dropped glass bombs. After that, the knights blazed like torches. However, their comrades rushed to help and tried to save their soldiers. They were the first firefighters who, despite the heat of the fire, rushed into the inferno for rescue. Such heroes were awarded a cross, which is similar to the cross worn by firefighters in modern times. The name of the sign came from the island of Malta, where the Knights of St. John lived for more than four centuries.
The Star of Life is an adaptation of the medical symbol of the American Medical Association. All six stripes that can be seen on the sign have their own meanings. Inside the star, you can see a snake coiling around a staff. This is a symbol of the staff of Asclepius, the god of medicine.
Fire truck
Modern firefighters can easily get to their destination and not think that they have to work to get water. However, by the late 1800s, firefighters were using hand-pumped machines. Such a device worked as a tractor for an earlier model fire engine or was attached to a horse-drawn carriage, which was the main form of transport.
Such machines had rather long hoses. They ran parallel to the engine housing, which made the pump work. The firemen had to push the hoses with their hands so that the water would come out. However, one person was only able to work with this device for a few minutes because he simply could not withstand the load any longer.
Undoubtedly, the fire service improved over time and workers were issued with better tools and armor. Still, Union Fire Company, which was created by the founding father, was the beginning. Its establishment was a turning point in the history of the fire departments not only in Philadelphia but throughout America. The dedication of the workers laid the foundation of the modern profession of firefighter and inspired a large number of people to follow this path.
The legacy of the first firefighters continues to grow and serve the community. The dedication to the cause is always mesmerizing because they throw themselves into hell to save as many people as possible.