History and Tradition: The History of the Fire Service, and the Quincy Fire Department

The History of the Fire Service, and the Quincy Fire Department

1607

May 14th; First settlement in the "new world" founded in Jamestown.

1609
January 7th; Jamestown settlement destroyed by fire. All provisions lost and many die of hunger and exposure.

Captain John Smith wrote of the fire in his journal: "Most of our apparel, lodging and private provisions were destroyed...I begin to think that it is safer for me to dwell in the wild Indian country than in this stockade, where fools accidentally discharge their muskets and others burn down their homes at night."

1625

First settlement of Quincy by Captain Wollaston, who in 1625 with a company of thirty or forty colonists, cleared the land and built log-huts on the seaward slopes of the hills in what is now the city of Quincy

1629

Quincy’s first recorded house fire on Merrymount St

1630

Boston settled

1638

America’s first no-smoking law was issued in 1638 in Massachusetts. After numerous fires, residents were not allowed to smoke tobacco outdoors.

1715

Boston had 6 engine companies.

1718
Mutual Fire Society organized in Boston by progressive citizens, This first volunteer fire company in America only battled fire amongst its members homes.

1736
Benjamin Franklin establishes the Union Fire Company, the first fire organization in Philadelphia and one of the first in America to fight fires for the public good of all.

1770
March 5, the Boston Massacre. British troops opened fire on a mob of colonists.

1785
A powerful new, American designed, "Gooseneck" style fire engine was introduced. The goosneck acted like today's Deck Gun's

1789
George Washington becomes first President.

1792

Quincy breaks away from the Town of Olde Braintree and is established as a Town. The Quincy Fire Association is formed and is composed of the first volunteer fire company in the area on record.

1641

First fire prevention act in Old Braintree. Requires all home owners “…to have a ladder to stand against his chimney to secure the town from fier”

1653
January 14. First of Boston's great fires destroys one-third of the town. The next day Boston draws up ordinances "that every homeowner will have a ladder, a 12 foot pole with a large swob at the end to extinguish roof fiers, Iron crooks with chaines, which are to be ready in case of a fier"

The first recorded mention of a fire engine was made in Boston in 1653. The town council hired Joseph Jenks, an iron worker to build the city and engine. It is not known if this "ingine" was a pumper or only a water-carrying tub.

1676
November 27. Fire at Boston destroys large part of the North End. For the first time gunpowder is used to blow up buildings to create fire breaks.

1679
Boston imports a fire engine from England. It is 3 feet long and 18 inches wide. The country's first paid Engine Company consisted of a captain and 12 firemen.

Another devestating fire in Boston leveled 80 homes and 70 warehouses before burning itself out 12 hours later