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 *Early 1800*s: Quincy's First Engine Companies *and the Origin of the Paid Fire Department* In the 18th century the common means of fighting fire was defensive. Equipment and gear did not allow firemen to safely get close to the blaze. It was often assumed the involved structure was a lost cause. All energy concentrated on saving the buildings surrounding it. Private "Engine Companies" worked for insurance companies to protect their property. Eventually, fire was deemed a "public nuisance" and protecting the citizens from fire became the responsibility of the Towns and Cities.

	1800 English inventor John Carry, designed the first crude automatic sprinkler but it went undeveloped for a long period. 1808 NYC got first hydrant attached to underground water main. A new concept in fire fighting, leather fire hose. Origin of the interior attack. 1820 Columbia Fire Association Quincy’s first piece of fire apparatus goes into service “Columbia” a Hand tub made by Thayer of Boston, purchased for $340 by the Quincy Fire Association. It is housed next to the cemetery on Hancock St in Quincy Square. In 1884 it was moved to the Towne House (City Hall).

		1824 Adams Hand tub “Adams Fire Association” Thayer Hand tub goes into service. It was first placed into service on School St next to the cemetery, then later moved to Franklin St at the Adams Houses. It was later delivered to Lexington, MA., sold to Brownsville, ME. in 1886, returned to Lexington in 1930, and is now at the Lexington Historical Society 1825 It is voted by the Town to “pay 5 dollars to the first engine company which shall arrive at any fire that may take place in this town and throw the first water.”

	1835 December 16. Great Fire in New York City. Over 650 buildings, including most of the Wall Street financial area are destroyed and result in $20-40 million property loss. Following the conflagration, private patrols were appointed to cover the city in event of second fire. 1841 Niagara No1 “Niagara Engine Association”, Thayer Hand tub (built in 1828) goes into service at Hancock and Washington St, purchased for $650. The Motto of the Niagara No1 was “Always Ready.” The Columbia Engine was purchased by this fire company, refurbished, and put up for sale. Paul Hodge builds the first steam in America fire engine. He is scorned by the volunteer firefighters of New York.

		1844 Town of Quincy assumes the duty of protecting itself from “the ravages of fire” and purchases the Niagara and Adams Hand Tubs. 3 additional Engines were bought and put to public service. In addition to the Niagara No1, the following hand tubs went into service: Tiger No2 Located on School St (built by Hunneman of Roxbury) originally replaced the Adams Co and was at the Adams firehouse. Adams was retired and sold in 1845 to a Weymouth Engine Association The motto of the Tiger Co was “Protection to all” Granite No3 Located in West Quincy at Copeland St and Furnace Av (also built by Hunneman of Roxbury) “We come, we conquer” was the motto of Granite No3 Vulture No4 Located in Quincy Point, housed on Washington St. It was built by Thayer of Boston. Their motto “Our aim the public good” Men were hired to man the engines “for the purpose of extinguishing fire; and if any person shall refuse or neglect to obey such orders, he shall forfeit for each offense a sum not exceeding ten dollars.” First Chief Engineer Charles P Tirrell to oversee fire companies