History of Fire Services

History of Fire Service

• First firefighting force established in 23 BC Rome by Caesar Augustus, called "Servants of the Commonwealth."
• The organized firefighting force emerged in 6 AD with the creation of "Vigils" in Rome.
• Jamestown, Virginia, founded in 1607, faced devastating fire in 1608 leading to settlers' hardships.
• In 1648, Governor Peter Stuyvesant initiated building codes and established Fire Wardens in New Amsterdam (now NYC), marking the first fire organization in America.
• The Great Fire of London in 1666 burned for five days, destroying 13,200 homes and leaving 200,000 homeless, prompting the creation of the Fire Insurance Company.
• Boston established America's first fire department in 1679, along with the first fire engine and paid firefighters.
• The 1835 Great New York Fire led to significant losses and financial failures among insurance companies.
• The first fully paid fire department began in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1853.
• The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed a third of the city; an estimated 300 people died and damages reached $200 million.
• The 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire in Chicago killed 602 due to safety failures in a supposedly fireproof building.
• Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in 1911 claimed 146 lives in New York, highlighting the need for better safety measures.
• The Coconut Grove nightclub fire in 1942 is noted for the high death toll of 492.
• The 1947 Texas City Disaster was the first hazardous materials incident, killing 561.
• In 1973, "America Burning" report led to the establishment of the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Academy.
• Significant incidents such as the September 11 attacks in 2001 resulted in the deaths of over 343 firefighters.

St. Florian

• St. Florian, a Roman Army member born in 250 AD, became the patron saint of firefighters. He died by drowning after refusing to persecute Christians, allegedly saying he would ascend to heaven on flames.

National Fire Prevention Week

• Initiated on October 11, 1911, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire to raise awareness about fire safety.
• National Fire Prevention Day proclaimed by President Wilson in 1920; President Coolidge established Fire Prevention Week in 1925.

History of North East Fire Company Inc.

• Founded in 1921 with a Model T Ford for fire engine, first firehouse located at Woody's Tacos & Tequila.
• Acquired a "1922" American La France pumper in 1922; in 1948 added a pumper that was used until 1995.
• Increased apparatus acquisitions in the 70s and 80s, including multiple Seagrave units and a substation in 2008.
• Celebrated the 100th anniversary in 2022.

Fire Service Culture and Organization

• Mission: Life Safety and property protection establish fire service organization.
• Culture influenced by history, tradition, and education; strong command structure and teamwork required.
• Cultural strengths include integrity, courage, compassion, and respect.

Staffing Types

• Staffing can be categorized as Career, Volunteer, On-call, and Combination based on funding and assigned duties.

Fire Service Organization Structure

• Typically includes Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Captains, Lieutenants, Safety Officers, and Firefighters/EMTs.

Firefighter Health and Safety

• Common causes of firefighter fatalities: stress, overexertion, vehicle accidents, and incidents like being struck or trapped.
• Types of injuries include strains, sprains, cuts, bruises during training, and non-emergency incidents.
• Injuries lead to costs for both career and volunteer firefighters, impacting physical health and emotional stress.

Physical and Psychological Stressors

• Physical stressors: Interrupted meals/sleep, hazardous atmospheres, high noise levels, severe weather.
• Psychological stressors: Family illness, work relationships, lack of support, and difficult roles can contribute to stress in firefighting.

Critical Incident Stressors

• Situations such as witnessing violence, experiencing a failed rescue, or facing extreme casualty situations can deeply impact firefighters' mental health.