Gallup Fire Department Throwback Thursday and for today we wanted to talk about some fire service history.
The first known organized fire service in the world was over 2,000 years ago in Rome. Augustus Caesar created the “vigilant corps” which was made up of over 500 slaves who patrolled the streets at night keeping watch for fire.
In 60AD under Emperor Nero the fire service in Rome had changed and was now provided by noblemen who did it for a profit. When a building caught fire the building owner had a choice to either pay for the fire suppression at that time, or had to promise to sell the burned out building to the noblemen after the fire was out. If no money exchanged hands or the promise of selling the building was not made the fire service crew would not attempt to put out the fire.
As harsh as it may sound this system of payment or promise of sell worked until 64AD until two-thirds of Rome was destroyed by fire.
Next week we will discuss how the fire service started in the United States and who some of the first Firefighters were.
Original source found here.
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