Precision, power, extensive training and a range of finely tuned gear help your department fight fires in the present. But as a profession, firefighting dates back roughly 2,000 years to the first organized squads of the Ancient Egyptians and Romans.
Over the years, methods have ranged from buckets to trucks, hoses and, increasingly, data and drones. Yet, one trend remains consistent: When populations, building designs and industries evolve, so do the methods and equipment used to control fires. Learn more about how the firefighting profession has changed over the centuries and the advancements introduced during this timeframe:
The Origins of Firefighting
Organized firefighting — as opposed to individuals hauling water to stop spreading flames — supposedly dates back to the portable water pumps of Ancient Egypt and Rome’s Vigiles, squads who were dispatched to manage crime and put out fires with buckets, pumps, catapults and axes. Eventually, a fire suppression tax was levied on businesses to fund these efforts.
Between this point and the 17th century, records of organized firefighting are minimal. Beginning in the 1600s, towns in England and eventually continental Europe instituted their own brigades, with technology evolving from manual to suction-based pumps. Teams also started using a rudimentary fire engine with a leather-based hose connected with a brass coupling to control the stream of water.
Around this period, the insurance industry also started to take shape. This meant that building owners paid a fee to preserve their properties, while the insurance companies directly funded fire department operations. Those who opted not to participate saw their livelihoods decimated by fire and other hazards.
The United States’ history of firefighting mirrors this trajectory, albeit with an 18th century start. Benjamin Franklin is said to have formed the first volunteer fire department, which evolved into the Union Fire Company, and just as in Europe, these neighborhood-based groups primarily depended on buckets and manual labor.
Into the 20th century, American firefighting transitioned from a network of local, private entities to a broader, more organized government-managed enterprise. This shift plus the Industrial Revolution ushered in a series of notable changes:
- Firefighters started receiving a salary.
- Advances in power and factory technologies transformed the equipment available, with combustion engines and electric pumps increasingly used.
- Into the 21st century, firefighting methods evolved to control fires involving metals and various synthetic materials.
- Leather personal protective equipment transitioned to rubber-based gear and later to fire-resistant treatments and lighter composite materials.
Modern Firefighting Advancements
From the 2010s into the 2020s:
- Firefighting vehicles and ambulances have started moving away from traditional combustion-powered motors to electric vehicle (EV) technologies.
- As structures get taller, ladders and ground-based equipment no longer provide a safe, secure environment for fighting fires. In response, trucks frequently feature elevating platforms to support personnel as they control flames affecting high-rise buildings.
- Drones are another staple of modern-day firefighting. In this case, the real-time videos and thermal imaging data help identify hotspots, provide an overview of exterior damage and the progression of a fire, and assist with locating missing persons.
- Communication equipment has also evolved. Today, firefighters can access information about an emergency through a mobile data terminal, track each other’s locations through GPS, get clear directions through digital radios and receive real-time digital alerts from local monitoring stations.
- Just as with other professions, data collection influences how firefighters train and monitor their performance. Wearables deliver information about a firefighter’s environment, record health data and observe their movements — all of which can enhance how departments get new recruits up to speed and prepare for upcoming missions.
Explore the latest in firefighting advancements at Fire Safety USA. Browse solutions from thermal imaging cameras to trucks now before placing your order.