On December 7th, 1736, the first organized fire department in the United States "Union Fire Company" was formed in the state of Pennsylvania by Benjamin Franklin. In a Pennsylvania Gazette article of 1733 Franklin noted how fires were being fought in Philadelphia. "Soon after it [a fire] is seen and cry'd out, the Place is crowded by active Men of different Ages, Professions and Titles who, as of one Mind and Rank, apply themselves with all Vigilance and Resolution, according to their Abilities, to the hard Work of conquering the increasing fire." Franklin suggested a "Club or Society of active Men belonging to each Fire Engine; whose Business is to attend all Fires with it whenever they happen." Visit Franklin's Philadelphia to read more about the rich history of the start of fire fighting in Pennsylvania.
After returning from the Firehouse expo 09 I started talking about some of the HOT topics at the expo. By far, it was the vast about of Bail out System's being sold and displayed at the expo. They had everything from a simple belt and rope to a full on body harness integrated into turnout gear? So the great debate started. Do you use a harness with a bailout system? If so, which kind do you use and how often do you train with your system, if at all? Is a bailout system "Worth the Weight" that it adds to your PPE?
Fire officials are investigating the cause of an early-morning fire in Brooklyn that injured five firefighters, two of them seriously – hours after another fire in the borough claimed the life of a man.
Flames broke out around 4:30 this morning on the first floor of a single-family home on 192 Concord Street in Downtown, Brooklyn.
Theirs are the most wired vehicles on the road, with dashboard computers, sophisticated radios, navigation systems and cellphones.
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A massive fire at an apartment building in New London forced dozens of people to find places to stay for the night.
The blaze broke out around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday on Willets Avenue and sent three people to area hospitals. Two of those hospitalized were being treated for smoke inhalation.
More than 80 firefighters were called to fight the blaze and rescue victims. Fire officials said rescuers helped six to eight people escape the flames.