Fire Service History Lesson 1 PDF

Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 23 BC Caesar Augustus in Rome created first firefighting force. "Servants of the commonwealth" were a group of slaves and troops capable of protecting Rome from fire. Not very effective. 6 AD After a large ca...

Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 23 BC Caesar Augustus in Rome created first firefighting force. "Servants of the commonwealth" were a group of slaves and troops capable of protecting Rome from fire. Not very effective. 6 AD After a large catastrophic fire, "Vigils" formed in Rome. Used both for fire suppression and military purposes. Recognized as first organized firefighting force. 1607 Jamestown, VA founded in the New World. Fire in 1608 destroyed all the buildings and supplies, forcing settlers to return to England or remain and face the hostile Indians and hard winter. 1648 Governor Peter Stuyvesant of New Amsterdam (New York City) adopted building codes and established Fire Wardens to protect the settlement. This was the first fire organization in America. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 1666 September 2, the Great Fire of London starts. Fire burned for 5 days and destroyed most of the city. 13,200 homes, 100,000 boats and barges were lost, leaving 200,000 homeless. Only 6 lives were lost. Nearly complete destruction of England's worldwide trading empire. As a result…the Fire Insurance Company was born. This led to increased emphasis on development of fire equipmentand volunteer fire companies to protect the insured premises. Fire marks were used by these companies to identify their buildings. 1679 Boston, MA establishes America's first fire department, first fire engine, first firehouse, and first paid firefighters. All accomplished because of the severe losses from numerous large-scale conflagrations. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 1737 Volunteer Fire Department in New York City formed. 1835 December 16, The Great New York Fire. Leading financial and trade center of the country at the time. 674 buildings lost, 10,000 left jobless. Most of the 28 insurance companies operating did not have the financial resources to meet claims and failed. Congress did not bail out New York. Financial losses and bankruptcies multiplied. Some believe it lead to a national economic depression 2 years later. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 1853 Cincinnati, OH becomes the first fully paid fire department. 1871 October 8, the Great Chicago Fire. 1/3 of the city is destroyed over a period of 30 hours. Loss of 17,450 homes. Mrs. O'Leary's cow may have kicked over a lantern starting the fire in a stable. Estimated deaths were 300. Damage came to $200 million, of which $88 million was covered by insurance. 57 out of 250 insurance companies doing business fail. 1900 Introduction of the gasoline powered engine into the fire service. 1903 December 30, Iroquois Theatre Fire in Chicago, Illinois kills 602 people. The theater is supposed to be completely fireproof. Incomplete construction including fire escapes, confusing signs, lack of training, no fire alarm system, and doors that open inward are to blame. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 1911 March 25, Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in Manhattan, New York. 146 workers lost their life in a 10 story Asch Building. Pails of water and an inadequate sprinkler system, along with a single poor fire escape was the cause. Most people jumped 8 to 10 floors to their death. 1942 Coconut Grove nightclub in Boston kills 492 people. Worst multiple-death nightclub fire to date. 1947 Texas City Disaster (April 16). Ship of ammonium nitrate explodes in the harbor. SS Grandcamp. 561 died and over 3,500 injured. First Haz-mat incident. 1950 "Sparkey" the fire dog introduced by NFPA as a national symbol for safety. Significant historical events result in current laws and equipment. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 1973 Special Commission appointed by President Nixon presents a report entitled "America Burning." It outlined the current and future fire concerns of our country. It led to the creation of the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Academy at Emmitsburg, MD. 1978 NFPA publishes the first annual firefighter death/injury study. Initiation of Firefighter Safety & Survival training on a nationwide basis. 1991 On February 23rd, a fire in a 38-story high-rise in Philadelphia takes 18.5 hours to contain and kills 3 firefighters. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. 1992 Oakland Hills fire in October destroys 1,800 homes and 900 apartments. 19 killed and 148 injured. Loss estimated at $5,000,000,000. 1995 Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK bombed. 161 people killed, many more injured. 2001 9-11 Attacks on World Trade Centers and Pentagon. More than 343 Firefighters killed, along with approximately 6,000 civilians. Significant historical events result in current laws and equipment. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. Who was St Florian? Born in 250 AD he was a member of the Roman Army and was sentenced to death by fire by Emperor Diocletian when he refused to follow orders and persecute all Christians in the area. Standing on the pile erected to be set on fire killing him, Florian challenged the Roman soldiers to start the fire and said, “If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames." Fearful of Florian, the soldiers had him drowned instead. Florian was made a Saint by Pope Lucius III, and later a person was reported to have been saved from fire by praying to St. Florian. Since then St. Florian has generally been regarded as the patron Saint of the fire service. Fire service history is an important part of understanding current practices. What is the history of National Fire Prevention Week? In 1911 the Fire Marshals Association of North America decided the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should be observed in a manner to inform the public about fire prevention and fire safety and Fire Prevention Day was observed on October 11, 1911. In 1920 President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first Fire Prevention Week , October 4-10, 1925. REVIEW QUESTION Where was America’s first fire department established? History of North East Fire Company Inc. History of North East Fire Company Inc. 1921 North East Fire Company is established. The first fire engine was a Model T Ford with a manmade tank. The first fire house was located where Woody’s Tacos & Tequilia operates. 1922 Purchased the first true fire engine a “1922” American La France pumper. Currently located in our museum. 1948 Purchased 1948 American La France pumper, which was not sold until 1995. 1972 Purchased 1968 Dodge Rescue, Boston whaler boat & the first Hurst rescue tool in Cecil County. History of North East Fire Company Inc. 1975 Purchased Pioneer American LaFrance which was sold in 2001. 1985 Purchased Pierce Pumper-Tanker “414”. 1986 Purchased 2nd Pierce pumper, however this would be a Pumper-Rescue. 1989 Purchased 102’ Aerial Ladder Truck which was sold in 2009 History of North East Fire Company Inc. 1995 Purchased 1st Seagrave Pumper which is designated “413”. 2002 Purchased 2nd Seagrave. This unit is a Rescue-Pumper designated “411”. 2004 Purchased 3rd Seagrave. This unit is a Pumper-Tanker designated “414”. 2007 Purchased 4th Seagrave. This unit is a Pumper designated “412” History of North East Fire Company Inc. 2008 Opened our first sub-station, it is located in Elk Neck. Assigned station #44 2009 Purchased 100’ Ladder Truck which is designated “Ladder 4” 2021 Purchased property in Bayview for the possibility of another sub-station (Station 24) 2022 Celebrated our 100th Anniversary REVIEW QUESTION What year was North East Fire Company established? Fire Service Culture & Organization The fire service mission establishes department organization. Life Safety Fire Service Protect Mission property and environment Fire service culture is influenced by its organization and cultural challenges. Based on history and Culture tradition Grows with education Command structure Organizational Ranks Characteristics Uniforms Teamwork Cultural Challenges Fire service culture develops specific cultural strengths. Moral Work Integrity Pride character ethic Courage Loyalty Respect Compassion Types of staffing vary based on funding and duties assigned at the station. Career Volunteer On-call Combination Fire Service Organization Fire Chief Deputy Chief Assistant Chief Captain Lieutenant Safety Firefighters/EMTs Fire service members must understand department organizational principles. Chain of command Unity of command REVIEW QUESTION What are the three main types of staffing found in the fire service? Members Health Firefighter fatalities are caused by a variety of situations. Leading causes Remaining causes Stress or Falls overexertion Being struck by an Motor vehicle object accidents Being trapped in structure fire Gunshot wounds while tending medical patient Firefighter injuries occur both on the fireground and at nonfire emergencies. Main Strains and sprains types Cuts and bruises During training Other Nonemergency incidents Responding to or returning from incidents Other on-duty activities Firefighter injuries cause costs to both individuals and departments. Career Volunteer Individual department department Possible Physical Lost duty worker’s pain time comp No wages Emotional Worker’s for FF from stress comp full-time job No wages for FF Physical & Environmental Stressors Interrupted Interrupted Meals Sleep Incident High Noise Scene Levels Dangers Hazardous Alarms Atmospheres Severe Weather Conditions Psychological Stressors Death of Illness in Family Family Member Work Divorce Relationships Poor Work Difficult Work Climate Roles Lack of Lack of Support from Promotion Supervisors Critical Incident Stressors Failed Search & Death Rescue Witness to Suicide Violence Firefighter Burned Injury or Patient Death Multiple Extreme Casualty Suffering Incident or Pain REVIEW QUESTION What types of job-related injuries and illnesses can a firefighter expect to encounter? Summary You have reviewed: History of the Fire Service Fire Service Culture Fire Service Organization Members Health Questions?