Fire has played an important role in the lives of human beings since the beginning of time. Fire is used to provide many of the most basic needs without any of us giving much thought to the subject. The uses for fire in modern society include: heat, light cooking, energy, landscaping, farming, and personal comfort needs. Some of the most basic needs would be unattainable if not impossible without the use of fire. Fire is completely safe under a controlled environment, but when a problem arises fire can be a destructive force. The need for a way to control fire was recognized early in American history. You can trace American firefighting history all the way back to the first English settlement at Jamestown, VA.

In the early days a simple fire could destroy an entire village or community. The construction of the homes and the proximity of dwellings would result in major conflagrations that would burn uncontrolled until an open space was reached. Early methods to control fire included using fire wardens that would check for fire code violations, and issue fines as needed. Groups of men, known as the rattle watch, would patrol the streets looking for fire. If a fire was located a wooden rattle would be sounded to alert the townspeople. In 1736 Benjamin Franklin formed the first volunteer fire company in America located in Philadelphia, Pa.

Early volunteer firefighters were revered by the community, and it was a social status position to be a firefighter. Members of the early volunteer firefighting community consisted of such prominent men as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. Early volunteer fire companies consisted of social clubs with the members of these organizations being elite members of society. Safety equipment and gear consisted of little more than the clothes they wore on their backs. For this reason firefighting activities consisted of exterior attacks focusing on the prevention of accompanying buildings catching fire. Stories have been passed down over the years of men growing long beards that they would soak in water, and then place them over the mouth to breathe through. This was the first method of preventing smoke and heated air from entering the lungs. As the years passed personal protective equipment evolved from wool coats and tin helmets to rubber coats and leather helmets. The evolution of firefighting gear has allowed firefighters to enter buildings and perform rescue operations. This entering of the building has also allowed firefighters to aggressively fight the fires and save more property. Early firefighting gear had areas of exposed skin that firefighters would say provided warning of dangerous heat and conditions. The problem firefighters faced through the years consisted of burns to the body, and smoke inhalation.

The technology of modern day firefighting gear has prevented many of the burns firefighters faced, and has provided a complete envelope of protection for the body. Firefighters that are properly equipped face little to no risk of burns and smoke inhalation. This advancement in technology has presented a new series of problems facing our firefighters. The weight of the gear worn averages around sixty pounds with another forty pounds of equipment being carried by an individual firefighter. Firefighters are now able to go farther into the building to fight the fire and perform rescue operations. Injuries that firefighters are experiencing have been trending toward over exertion, sprains, and stress on the body. The biggest risk to firefighters is not suffering serious burns in a fire, or smoke inhalation, but rather suffering a heart attack or stroke.


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61 firefighters died while on duty in 2011.

• The total breakdown included 35 volunteer, 21 career, and 5 non-municipal


• There were 3 firefighter fatality incidents where 2 firefighters were killed in each, claiming a total of 6 firefighters


• 9 firefighters died in duties associated with wildland fires


• 30 firefighters died while engaging in activities at the scene of a fire


• 10 firefighters died while responding to or returning from emergency incidents


• Heart attacks were the most frequent cause of death with 31 firefighter deaths


• 6 firefighters died while they were engaged in training activities