Fire Service History

Our Heritage and Our History

• Throughout history, fire served as progress, protection, survival, and destruction
• People have increased knowledge and technology to use fire, but it remains destructive when uncontrolled
• Examining fire service history helps understand fire service today
• The fire service has been influenced since recorded history
• As people formed geographic areas like cities and counties, protecting life and property became essential
• Men united in communities with walled fortresses for security
• Gates closed sunset to sunrise with watchmen announcing danger
• Early community protection groups were precursors to modern fire protection
• Firefighting forces was established in Rome by Caesar Augustus
• Familia publica of 600 men were stationed at city gates to fight fires
• These firefighters were slaves with no societal stake, accused of slow reactions
• Work was given to unsupported volunteers
• Caesar Augustus assigned firefighting to the Roman army, creating the corps of vigiles to protect Rome for 500 years
• Service in the vigiles conferred Roman citizenship after 26 years of service
• Vigiles policed towns, recaptured slaves and guarded public baths
• Vigiles were distributed city-wide, each battalion responsible for two of Rome's 14 wards
• Public treasury maintained the force and every fire prompted citizen punishment
• Paramilitary organizations are rooted in the corps of vigiles
• Vigiles used water pumps, hoses, ballista catapults with fire hooks, and helmets

Rome as First Metropolitan Area

• Rome transitioned from a small village in 900 BC to a cultural and commercial center
• Protecting citizens from fire became a concern as Rome grew
• By 100 BC, Rome was a bustling city impacted by fires
• Rome possessed a bureaucracy and support systems
• These conditions contributed to community fire protection
• Fire brigades adopted ideas from the military-style corps of vigiles
• Vigiles, Latin for "vigilant", patrolled Rome at night, serving as law enforcement
• Corps of vigiles was led by an equestrian rank officer
• Subordinate ranks in the corps of vigiles include:
  • Aquarius: supplied water to pumps and organized bucket chains
  • Siphonarius: supervised water pumps
  • Uncinarius: Carried a hook for pulling burning roofs
• All firefighters carried knives, axes, and spades for their duties
• Corps of vigiles operated in cities beyond Rome
• Barracks were located where people and property were concentrated
• The Great Fire of Rome destroyed over 10,000 dwellings and killed hundreds within 48 hours
• Approximately 10,000 vigiles were in service at height of the Roman empire
• Barracks distribution is not well described, but evidence suggests multiple sites
• Florian von Cetum, patron saint of firefighters, embodied the firefighting spirit
• Florian von Cetum was a centurion that advanced to prefectus vigilum or fire chief Circa AD 30
• Florian's men were skilled regular Roman army members assigned to fire brigade
• This brigade protected Rome, was a mobile force, and protected the Roman army
• Crest on Florian's helmet enabled recognition
• The crest was bright red with purple
• Florian had a reputation for energy fighting fires and was a devoted Christian
• Florian became a martyr and patron saint after being drowned for beliefs
• European firefighters display Saint Florian throwing water on a burning house
• Many firefighters wear a Saint Florian medallion for protection
• As the Roman Empire declined after 1,000 years, the corps of vigiles declined
• Brigades were abandoned as control shifted, and fire protection reduced
• Only neighborly assistance existed during the Dark Ages
• The need for fire protection existed, but organization and effort diminished until the 1600s

Codes and Regulations

• Hammurabi's code was one of the earliest known building construction law, 1792-1750 BC
• Tower of Babel, which is now known as Etemenanki possibly had foundations based on Hammurabi's code
• Carved on diorite column, the code of 3,600 lines in cuneiform was found at Susa
• It covers business, family, labor, private property, and injuries and is generally humanitarian
• Punishment was retributive or "an eye for an eye" literally
• It was drawn from Sumerian and Semitic laws which were harsh in nature
• Examples from Hammurabi code include:
  • A builder is paid two shekels of silver per sar for constructing a house
  • If a builder constructs a weak house, the builder shall be slain
  • Consequences if a child or slave of the householder is killed
  • If goods are destroyed, he shall replace all that has been destroyed
  • Wall damages must be repaired by builder using their own resources

Fire Service Heritage

• The evolution of the fire service was driven by events and fire service leaders
• They established the future path
• Many might not comprehend past experiences, traditions, and the profession's evolution
• There is requirement of tradition, history, and heritage blending with modern expertise in authority
• North American fire service began with local communities and traditions of neighbors protecting each other
• From colonial times, bucket brigades were formed
• Fire service evolved to a mix of trained men and women, who respond daily to hazards
• People discuss what defines fire service professionalism
• Firefighters pledge service above self, while fire officers wear a badge symbolizing tradition
• This links to bravery, loyalty, honor, ability, and devotion from historic deeds
• Uniforms, badges, and insignia symbolize this tradition
• From antiquity through the Middle Ages emblems and symbols were used as knowledge
• They are known for the ideals of a service and instill loyalty to organization and pride

Insignias and Customs

• Uniforms are commonly worn by members of the U.S. military
• Privilege to risk their lives for the principles of freedom
• Badges and insignia on these uniforms symbolize the tradition of the unit or regiment
• Reflect tradition, heroism, patriotism, and the team’s esprit de corps
• Badges, insignias, and emblems are displayed on fire service uniforms
• Fire service can trace symbolism to significance
• A symbol is a visible sign like a figure, badge, or emblem that represent a quality, object, etc
• The U.S. flag is a symbol of the country, but also principles on which it was founded
• The unbroken circle represents love and fidelity
• Scales and Balances represent justice
• Olive branch represents peace
• Palm leaf symbolizes victory
• Laurel wreath embodies excellence
• These can't be pictured, the emblem represents each quality, or symbol which becomes the visual
• Fire service badges and insignia are of rich and historic symbolism
• Displayed on many fire service badges, the cross, or "Maltese cross," was used among Christian knights who helped shield the weak
• Malta Cross symbolizes the Protection of Life
• This outgrowth of the coats of arms/ shields that are worn by Christian Knights to distinguish them as friend or foe in battle
• Emblem of the Cross of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem founded as nonmilitary organization
• White and Silver cross on a dark background was preferred
• Became known as "Hospitallers" because of their work in hospices and hospitals for the sick and poor

Malta Cross and More

• Mid 1500's, when Knights were in Malta a familiar face called Malta cross made its appearance
• Evident coins made in 1557 and 1568
• Linked symbols in the Fire Service and Knights of Saint John
• Saint Join of Jerusalem of Hospital was religious/ military order where Hospitallers was founded
• Order under several difference names that exist today
• Founded in churches of John Baptist during 11th Century
• Superior Monk Named Gerard began Hospital in Provencal, Italian City
• Hospital Took over New responsibilities by providing outreach to those hurt
• Knights bestow portions of estates to soldiers and crusaders
• Knights and Hospital became a wealthy/ powerful organization dedicated to attending to those hurt and sick
• Hospitallers ran and built hospitals in the Holy Land and the rest of Europe
• Cross represents symbolism and must appreciate the history that is attached with cross over

Knights of Saint John

• Knights dressed vivid to symbolize presence, and large capes in addition to armor
• Bloody colors, capes can symbolize sacrifice for humanity
• Capes played part in battles, men and women go forth to face relentless enemies
• The Linkage of Saint Jon is not by Mistake or design/ shared and similar
• In recognition The Malta Cross Symbolizes Medal of Honor
• Represents courage, is linked forever to the Fire Service
• Today this symbol = firefighters commitment

More Modern Fire Service

• First documented in 1752, Collar, badge brass trumpets has origin
• Aids officers to improve communication at a scene
• Speaking trumpets enhance speaking ability of fire officers
• Copper, steel, brass were preferred materials
• In the 1800's chief fire officers used to amplify their orders
• Multiple crossed images of Speaking trumpets = ranks to the position of chief fire officers

Fire Service Insignia and Emblems

• History Heraldry, shield implies defender, fire service badges form of shield containing Maltese cross
• Emblem of border of border represents "Unbroken" service
• Ropes, Cords usually surround badges to imply unbroken service/ loyalty etc
• Weapons like Scaling ladders etc form at St, Andrews Cross were in courage scaled walls
• Phoenix - Symbolizes re-birth and resurrection, Christians use "pledge of eternal life"
• Is to be used as a symbol of friendship

Fire Service

• Eagle - Symbolizes flight/ courage, used as symbol of Authority
• Colors - Used as qualities of Herald
• Troops used to be used silver cross / knight Templar / Tentonic Nights
• Overall the color blue refers to sincerity / loyalty
• Color Gold Means - Generosity
• White and silver = sincerity and peace
• Red = courage
• black = grief

Fire Service Representation

• Blue = loyalty/ Sincerity
• White Maltese Cross = protective service and symbol
• Border - Unending service
• Phoenix - Ever renewing life - Service
• Eagle - Symbolizes authority, protection
• Shield with Gold and white = fire chief + black etc
• Trumpets upon a badge, 2 silvers trumpets with 2 silvers Trumpets - A Captain
• 2 Gold = battalion etc
• FF loose sight of true meaning
• This unremitting labor
• Heroisms
• Sacrifices
• Service to other is what the job entails
• Oath to serve gives true potential
• Loyal and ideal is part of sacrifice
• Face and death is peculiar comradeship
• Form tradition = unique group
• Unique service is only symbol by symbol/ service

Evolution

• The way fire industry has formed
• History to be changed
• Colonials world war / indust rev etc
• Many founding fathers were Volunteer members
• George Washington etc
• Ben Franklin made fire companies
• In 1730

Colonial Fire Experiences

• Settled from Europe
• Settlement Jamestown , Colony was burnt to the ground
• Smith- Said " I begin ti think It is safer for me to dwell with the wild people than in the stockade, were fools mischarge muskets fire."

1620 - MASS

• Fire - Destroyed settlement, leading to near collapse
• Boston - Had the most issues, and largest disasters because construction/ Stone / Brick
• Smoking being bad lead to bans

More First Attempts At Modernization

• Colonial settlements made modernizations over time
• Colonial governor Stuyvesent of New Amsterdam truly pioneer of fire safety
• Ban on - Plaster/ Wooden chimneys leading to safety
• Steps were taking volunteer fire Marshall was enforcing laws
• 9 pm Curfews came around
• 8 young men patrol town at caps/ rattles

Benjamin Franklin

• Early fire safety champion
• Writer/Printers/ invented - Lighting/ bifocal
• Pennsylvania leading the way
• "Prevention is better than cure"
• Organization of friends called "Junto"
• 12 men with desire to provide
• Printers/ surveyors etc
• Junto is all over America
• Fire insurance emerged from this

Insurance

• Phil contributorship/ hand in hand to help out insurance
• A fire marker was adopted so members have a mark
• American fire service had bed/ key /salvage bags
• If a fire was getting out of control
• Immediate/ Salvage would ensue

Expansion West & Chicago

• 19th Century saw exciting expansion in westward with immigrants joining the ranks
• October = Prepared for fires
• Near Mrs Patricks at DO - Koven street where academies are
• Fires - Burned for 27 hours
• 1750 buildings made homeless
• 200 million and losses
• Fire prevention weak was made

Tragedy In Peshtigo

• Small community in Wisconsin also struggling = the same day
• Loss of life with US History
• 800 dead where lost
• People with ISO - schedule is today
• What we use to use
• Reflection of the past and today
• How buildings construct
• Defines that

Understanding Society & Societal Impacts

• How events impact and tech invent
• How social change has affected
• Social factors and evolution + more in fire
• Understand those/ shift change etc

1700's

• Anglo-Saxon settled
• Governed by Caucasian males
• Africans Americans = slaves
• Black people were no longer slaves when war settled that

Evolution Continued

• African demanded rights
• Civil rights acts
• Harlem - Renaissance
• WW2 Roles
• Women moving to Home

Legislators - More Change + America Today

• Women and minorities
• Equal opportunity = Banning etc
• Beyond.

Modern - More To It

• Civil disturbances/ strain
• Judicial cases
• NAACP
• National rifle
• Diversity Explosion = Blacks, Asians

Diversity Today

• accepting/ Kaleidoscope
• Only metro Cities = all diverse
• Believe maintains characteristics
• Ability = Sexual Orientation / Gender

Changing Faces & American Culture

• Pew research, American ethnic are diverse = no longer singular
• Over 59 million has arrived
• Support immigrations

Fire Service Obligations & Trends

• Fire service Reflect
• Representation + workplace component
• Inclusiveness for profession

Trends & Workplace

• Confronted with private
• Tax dollar funding with demands from everyone
• Mids the chain
• local gov is going down with this

Employee Empowerment

• Alien = To Many Structures
• Giving people power and let them do decisions
• Process = Choices actions

More Empowerment

• Collaboration not easy at first
• Setting boundaries and limits is essential
• Move force is realized when organization are committed

Entitled Generation

• Tend to blame people of job
• Assume more Qualified

TQM - The Process

• Is more involved because it causes
• Autonomy
• Facilitator

A- More Changing Workforce

• Dramatic shifts changed power structure from long ago
• More diversity
• Local market
• Steady shift of ethnicity can affect
• Ethnic makeup is shown

Demographic Shifts

• Population - Growth and migration that is impacted

Societal Problems to Solve

• Housing opioid crisis can impact
• Many face accommodation - daily work demands
• Stable home env impacts more org support for mental health services

21st Workforce

• Social factors affecting impact future