by Janette Waldron

Created on: November 17, 2010

Fire fighters have been deemed an iconic male figure down through the ages. While the 19th century brought forth a plethora of changes, the fire fighter still remained a courageous person. One extremely in touch with American brotherhood/sisterhood and concern for their country, its residents and preservation of life and all that it entails. At one stage in time, fire fighting was seen as a way for men to express their masculinity. Nevertheless, the definition of manhood eventually changed, proving than manhood is not about muscles. Due to a cultural changes fire fighting changed in many ways.

Volunteer fire fighting in America, is said to have origins which trace right back to Benjamin Franklin. It is said the Franklin founded a volunteer fire department in hope of gaining a better community spirit. Those involved in the volunteer fire department where successful business men, town leaders who believed that community service was all part and parcel of a man’s duty. These volunteer fire fighters met in public halls and private houses. Unfortunately, they had very little professional knowledge in regards to fire fighting. When fires did break out, those threatened by the fires were then deemed fire-fighting laborers. Bucket brigades were set in place although they were not very effective at all.

However, they meant well and did take their volunteer fire fighting seriously. Franklin started the first volunteer fire department in Philadelphia in the year of 1736. At the age of eighteen, Franklin had moved to Philadelphia from Boston. As most Americans know, Boston was greatly affected by major fires in 1653 and 1676. After the 1676 fire, Boston purchased a London pumper. Thomas Atkins and 12 other men were then deemed fire fighters. A host of concerned citizens then banded together to form The Mutual Fire Societies in the same year.

Fire struck a member of the society and its members rushed to their aid to battle the blaze. There were approximately 20 members to each society. These then became social as well as protective fire fighting associations. This then set the foundations for organized fire fighting groups, which was later deemed the backbone of fire fighting in the U.S. Many readers would have heard of William Penn who founded Philadelphia in 1682. Penn gave a great deal of thought to the location of the city. He was highly concerned about the danger of fires due to having witnessed the 1666 London fire. He did not wish for Philadelphia to suffer

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