Engine 22

Uploaded: May 15, 2012

Description

In 1736, Benjamin Franklin started the first fire department. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and called the Union Fire Company.

(More Information in the Comment Section)

Today, Heavy Rain for Philly...

Hope the sun is shining where you live!!<:))



Comments

Lorraine A. Cook May 15, 2012

More Info...

Ben Franklin lived in Boston until he was eighteen years old. While he lived in Boston, the city had major fires in 1653 and 1676. After the fire in 1676, Boston purchased a London pumper. The city then hired Thomas Atkins and twelve other men to fight fires. These were the first paid firefighters in the United States. At the age of six, Benjamin Franklin witnessed another major fire in 1711. One hundred ten families lost their homes.

In 1718, Philadelphia bought its first engine. It was named 'The Shag Rag' but it was not put into service until 1730 when Philadelphia had a fire that destroyed much of the commercial district along the river.

In 1733, Ben Franklin often wrote about the dangers of fire and the need for organized fire protection in his newspaper The Pennsylvania Gazette. Ben Franklin was familiar with Boston’s Mutual Fire Societies which were also known as “Fire Clubs.” But the “Fire Clubs” existed for the protection of its members, not for everyone in the community.

After a huge fire in Philadelphia in 1736, Franklin created a fire brigade called The Union Fire Company with 30 volunteers. The first full-fledged volunteer firefighter in America was Isaac Paschall. The idea of volunteer fire brigades gained popularity. These citizens were able to afford to purchase equipment and pay fines for missing meetings and fires.

Some famous Americans who served as volunteer firefighters were: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, John Barry, Aaron Burr, Benedict Arnold, James Buchanan and Millard Fillmore also served as volunteer firemen.

#1463052

Michelle Alton May 15, 2012

Great background story, Lorraine. Nice to know that Benedict Arnold had a "good" side!

I love the image too, especially since I've recently seen the poignant side of fighting fires in Philadelphia. We need the rain, but I'd like it to rain from Midnight to 8am...like in Camelot.
#10137709

Agnes Fegan level-deluxe May 15, 2012

Wonderful capture Lorraine ... and great info you provided! #10137943

John Connolly May 15, 2012

I reckon 22 is a good number for a fire truck Lorraine! A wonderfully composed image, and thanks for the information!
Sydney has a fire museum, but I have never managed to get to see it, yet!
Autumn here is telling us it has a miserable winter in store for us! #10138346

Tammy Espino May 15, 2012

Wonderful capture!!:) #10138401

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