FirefightersDID YOU KNOW?
Firefighting in American can be traced all
the way back to Jamestown, VA., the first permanent
English settlement in the new world. Tossing
water from a bucket was the method used to
fight fires. In 1648, the New Amsterdam (later
New York) Governor stood on his peg leg and
appointed four men to act as fire wardens.
The city later appointed eight men to the
"Rattle Watch Patrol." These men patroled the
streets at night carrying large wooden rattles.
If a fire was seen, the men spun the rattles
(first fire alarm), and people were supposed
to come running to participate in a bucket
brigade. This is generally recognized as the
first steps in organizing firefighting in
America. Boston was the first city to use a
fire engine, which was shipped from England.
It consisted of a wooden tub-like box with
carrying handles and a pump that was connected
to a small hose. The wooden tub was kept
filled with water by a bucket brigade. Most
notable among the famous Americans who helped
shape the volunteer firefighters was
Benjamin Frankin. Two important tools used by
early firemen were the bed key and salvage
bags. Arriving firemen often had to forget
about the fire and salvage what they could.
The bed key was a tool that allowed fast
disassembly of the wooden frame of a bed,
quite often the most valuable item in the
house and remove it to safety. Other household
goods of any value were snatched up, placed
in a salvage bag and carried to safety.
One and one-fourth inch moulding is used to
frame this picture which is 17 x 19 1/2 inches.
The picture consists of firefighting
artwork, an exclusive fireman patch, fireman
emblem and a First Day Cover associated with one of three
stamps issued by the post office to honor
firefighters. There is a 20 cent fire pumper
stamp, a 20.5 cent fire engine stamp, and
a 3 cent volunteer fireman stamp, which is a
52 year old official postage stamp (October
4, 1948). First Day Covers used may vary
according to the stamp used. CUSTOMIZE THIS PICTURE BY SUPPLYING
YOUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT PATCH.Our Price: $56.00
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