You are here: Home > Fireman's Hall Museum > Who We Are > Historical Timeline
Timeline of Fire Prevention, the Volunteer Fire Companies and the Philadelphia Fire Department

1666 William Penn was a resident of London at the time of the Great Fire that raged for four days destroying 80of the city, some 400 acres, and causing damages of more than fifty million American dollars.

1681 Philadelphia benefited from London s experience.  William Penn s plans for the city called for wide streets laid out in a grid plan and he further instructed:  Let every house be placed, if the person pleases, in the middle of its plot, as to the breadth way of it, that so there may be ground on each side for gardens or orchards, or fields, that it may be a green country town, which will never be burnt, and always be wholesome. 

1695 Philadelphians petitioned the Provincial Council to provide buckets and ladders as a protection against fire.  The following year a law was passed forbidding residents to clean chimneys by firing them and imposing fines on homeowners whose chimneys caught fire as a result of not being cleaned.  

1718 The Common Council of Philadelphia purchased the city s first fire engine, which was built in London, from Abraham Bickley for £50 lbs.  George Claypoole and later Richard Armitt were engaged  to keep the fire Engine in good Repair. 

1730 Philadelphia s first large fire broke out on Fishbourne s wharf and extended to Water Street, resulting in damages of £5000 pounds.  The city s small engine proved inadequate and Common Council quickly decided to purchase three additional engines, 400 leather buckets, 20 ladders and 25 fire hooks to be paid for by a tax levied upon the citizens.  

1731 Two Richard Newsham pumpers arrived from England; Anthony Nicholls of Phila built the third engine.

1733 and 1735 Franklin wrote in The Pennsylvania Gazette about fire prevention including the well-known quote:  An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure. 

1736 Franklin's letter resulted in the formation of the Union Fire Company by Franklin and several others, an organization designed to protect the property of its members and that of the general community by offering assistance in the event of fire. The structure of the Union Fire Company, organized on Dec. 7th, served as the model for all succeeding eighteenth century Philadelphia fire companies.  

1742 Franklin invented the stove, which bears his name.  Set within the fireplace it channeled the heat and proved to be a more economical use of fuel.  It also reduced the risk of large fires.  

1752 Benjamin Franklin together with several members of the various fire companies established Philadelphia's first insurance company, The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire.  This was a mutual company organized to offer its members monetary compensation in the event of fire.  Premiums varied depending upon the type of structure, the materials used, and the thickness of the party walls.  The Deed of Settlement further stipulated that every insured house be equipped with a trap door to the roof and iron rails to facilitate fire fighting.  

1768 Richard Mason built the first successful fire engine in Philadelphia for the Northern Liberty Fire Company. With his son, Philip, they continued to build fire engines up to 1806.  

1775 A letter appeared in The Pennsylvania Magazine urging the adoption of a machine designed to rescue persons trapped in burning houses by every fire company.  The basic plan, which first appeared in a London journal called for a large wicker basket that could be raised and lowered by a pulley system.  The Union Fire Company was still considering similar machines in 1791, although apparently never adopted. There were a total of 22 fire companies.  

1784 The Mutual Assurance Company for the Insurance of Houses by Loss from Fire, later known familiarly as The Green Tree, was organized.  

1791 May 9th, 12 firemen killed by falling walls at a fire.  Fires breaking out in wooden buildings were a growing menace.  A committee consisting of representatives of the various fire companies presented a petition to the legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urging that wooden structures in the thickly settled areas of town be banned.  This plea was strengthened by a petition presented by The Philadelphia Contributionship, The Mutual Assurance Company and the Insurance Company of North America in March of

1795 again urging the legislature to prohibit future construction of wooden buildings. They noted,   from the general use of Brick which prevails in the City whenever a Fire unfortunately commences in such Houses the ravages of the Flames are not very extensive, on the contrary, when it happens in  Buildings totally constructed of Wood, the vigorous Exertions, for which its Inhabitants are Remarkable prove ineffectual for their preservation, and generally involve the neighborhood in an extensive Destruction.  In June 1795 City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting construction of wooden buildings in the more densely populated area of town, but it was not until 1799 that it could be strictly enforced.  

1794 Pat Lyon built his first engine; developed the 'Philadelphia style' of end-stroke, double-deck engine. Originally filled by bucket, they were developed into suction about 1810.

1795 The city was empowered  to make and establish any law, ordinance or regulation, to oblige the owners and occupiers of houses in the said city to provide, and keep in repair, any number of leather buckets, not exceeding six, to be used only in extinguishing fires.   

1799 Philadelphia Fire Company purchased its first hand drawn hook and ladder truck.  

1801 The completion of the Philadelphia Water Works at Centre Square based on the designs of Benjamin Latrobe supplied Philadelphia with water drawn from the Schuylkill River and distributed it through the city by means of wooden pipes.  

1803 The establishment of the Water Works revolutionized Philadelphia s method of fighting  fires and led to the formation of Philadelphia Hose Company #1 by Ruben Haines.  For the first time engines could be filled quickly by hose with water drawn directly from the hydrants rather than filled manually by long bucket brigades.  Additional hose companies formed rapidly whose principle purpose was to supply water to engine companies.

1804 Pat Lyon built a hose cart for the Philadelphia Hose Company, complete with a bell.

1808 Sellers and Pennock invented riveted hose, the first to use iron rivets and in 1811 they began using copper rivets.

1815 By 1812 the Centre Square Pumphouse proved inadequate and the city authorized the building of the Fairmount Waterworks, a new technologically improved system from the designs of Frederick Graff.  

1817 Perkins and Jones started to make double-deck, end-stroke hand engines.  The Fire Association replaced Fire Hose Association. Originally formed to serve as a mediator between the fire engine and hose  companies belonging to it, the Fire Association formed an insurance company whose profits would go back to its members.  
1818 The city had 34 engine companies and 15 hose companies;  African Fire Association formed and disbanded.  

1819  Masonic Hall burned, March 9.

1820ca. John Agnew perfected the  Philadelphia style  engine by improving the suction, putting the discharge on the side and increasing its size and mobility. Perkins and Jones developed the swivel hose coupling.  

1822 Well known African-American composer, Francis Johnson, dedicated his  Philadelphia Fireman s Cotillion  to the  Fire Association  for their valiant efforts in fighting the fire at the Orphan's Asylum on January 24th in which 23 children perished.
 
1823 Franklin Peale designed the State House system of fire bells for giving an alarm of fire.  

1832 The first big firemen s parade was held on February 2nd to celebrate the 100th anniversary of George Washington s birth.  

1833 Philadelphia Association for the Relief of Disabled Firemen organized.

1838 Pennsylvania Hall, newly built by the Pennsylvania abolitionists, was burned May 17th.  Francis Johnson commissioned to commemorate the Centennial of the establishment of the Philadelphia fire Department, composed  The Philadelphia Firemen s Anniversary March.   

1844 The Know Nothing or Native American Riots swept portions of the city, May 6 through May 8.  George Shiffler was killed on May 6, and a hose company in Southwark was named in his honor.  These riots also led to City Council s passing of an ordinance, For the Better Regulation of the Fire Department.   

1846 The engine of the Reliance Fire Company was crushed and volunteers injured by falling walls at the Sugar House Refinery fire. Later, 27 members of the Fairmont Engine and Perseverance Hose were struck down by falling walls. Two volunteers later died of injuries. The three miles long funeral procession was attended by fifty-one fire companies, numbering over 3,000 members.  

1850 The police force was organized.  

1851 First Hook and Ladder company organized.  

1853 Efforts began to establish a paid fire department and eliminate the volunteer fire fighting system.

1854 Consolidation of the city of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas also led to the loose organization of the volunteer fire companies under the direction of a chief engineer, and board of directors.

1855 The city s Insurance Companies gave Philadelphia its first steamer,  Young America.  Realizing it was too heavy, it was rebuilt two years later. A push was made in City Council to have a single fire department.

1856 Fire alarm signal box installed.

1857 Reaney, Neafie and Co. built a steam engine for the Philadelphia Hose Company for $3,500. The Philadelphia Hose Company sold to the Insurance Patrol in 1870, which used it until 1926. Horses became a common sight in Philadelphia firehouses, as the steamers were too large to be pulled by hand. Typically the Steam Fire Engine companies paid the engineer and the driver.  

1858 African- American Aaron Roberts exhibited to The Philadelphia Contributionship a model of a machine to be attached to a fire Engine to aid in raising water and also to assist persons in the upper part of Buildings on Fire.

1859 A Grand Trial of steam fire engine companies was held at Fairmount on the occasion of the visit of the Cincinnati City Council.  

1860 There are 21 steam engines in the city.

1861 April 12, Fort Sumpter fired upon. May 8, first regiment marched south.  Two infantry regiments, called the Fire Zouaves, were organized. They were Baxter's 72nd and Birney s 23rd.  William Rosebrook solicited funds for building a fire escape and ladder with truck which he invented, supported by recommendations from Machinists and Empire Hook and Ladder Company and the Chief Engineer of the Fire Dept.  

1862 Hibernia Fire Co. served at Fortress Monroe, VA; and later in Washington, DC.  Philadelphia fire companies purchase ambulances to transport Civil War wounded.  

1863 Grenades, made of colored and clear glass and filled with fire extinguishing liquids were first produced for use in homes, public buildings and trains.

1864 April 20, the Office of the Fire Marshall was created.

1865 April 3, News of the capture of Richmond.
 April 9, Lee surrenders.
 April 14, President Lincoln assassinated.
 April 22, body escorted to Independence Hall.
 October 16, Grand parade of volunteers, 102 hose carriages, 57 steam fire engines, 11 hand engines, 12 hook and ladder trucks, 26 ambulances, inc l 30 companies from other cities.

1866 Hibernia Fire Co. returned from Washington, DC after four years.

1869 The Fire Insurance Patrol organized, July 20th.

1870 Largest fire fought by the volunteers, Gordon and Berger Warehouse, Water and Vine Sts, July 9-10.  

1871 Philadelphia Paid Fire Department organized on March 15, 1871 with 22 Engines, 5 Truck companies and 5 Assistant Engineers. There were 92 volunteer companies operating prior to this, most sold their firehouses to the city.  

1872 Assistant Engineer David Humphries killed 11/30/1872   first member of the paid Department to die in the line of duty.

1873 Philadelphia Firemen s Relief Association organized.  

1881 First aerial ladder purchased and assigned to Truck B. It had an 80ft aerial ladder.

1884 Expansion of the department continues   Engine 30 and Truck F are organized

1887 The Philadelphia Fire Department was reorganized as the  Bureau of Fire  under control of The Director of Public Safety.

1890 Fireman's Pension Fund established.

1892 Engines 38, 39, 40, and 41 organized.

1893 Philadelphia s first dedicated fireboat, the Edwin S. Stuart, goes into service on the Delaware River, September 1st.

1900 Engines 47 and 48 organized. Letter designation for Truck companies changed to numbers.

1901 October 25th fire at Hunt and Wilkinson, 1219-21 Market St. 22 civilians killed and 33 buildings destroyed or damaged.

1902 Members begin working a new schedule that allows for one day off every six days worked.

1903 Pipeline 1 organized with the  Cannon Wagon, designed by Assistant Engineer John J. Meskill. High pressure fire system placed in service.

1910 December 21st, 13 department members and 1 policeman killed at the Friedlander Leather Remnants Company at 1116-20 N. Bodine St.

1912 First motorized piece of apparatus put into service.  Officer names changed, Assistant Engineer became Battalion Chief; Foreman to Captain, Assistant Foreman to Lieutenant.  High pressure system in the  Mill District  placed in service.

1913 Philadelphia Fire Training School opened in rear of Engine 23 s station.

1914 Last horse-drawn steamers were purchased,  Ahrens-Fox Continental.   

1916 Motorization of the department s apparatus fleet begins in earnest.  

1918 The two platoon system was implemented with ten-hour day tours and fourteen-hour night tours, with a twenty-four hour off period built in.

1921 Expansion of the department under Chief Engineer Davis with a new engine company in South Philadelphia and a second fire boat in Kensington.

1922 New pipeline company formed to give greater water supply capability in high pressure district.  Fireboat 3 went into service at Wharton Street on the Delaware.  Second Alarmer s Association organized.  

1924 The Philadelphia Firemen's Band organized; later became Police and Firemen s 'band.

1927 Last fire horses mustered out of service.  

1930s Depression affected Bureau of Fire   lack of funding resulted in outdated equipment.

1941 New fire apparatus delivered.  Beginning of American involvement in WWII.

1943 Creation of voluntary Auxiliary Fire Force.  First radio transmission.

1947 The C platoon was added.  

1948 Fire fighters no longer required to sleep in stations and matrons were eliminated.  

1949 Change in rating by Board of Fire Underwriters and increase in insurance rates.  Complaints from center city businesses resulted in faster purchasing of new equipment; 2 new fireboats were to be installed, the repair shop increased and additional fireboxes installed throughout the city. Most fire alarm boxes would be equipped with amber lights for better visibility at night. Fire Marshals Office taken from civilian hands to the Bureau of Fire.

1951 Auxiliary Rescue Squads formed; department begins to expand into emergency medical services with ambulances.  Fire Department has its own radio frequency.

1952 Changed name from the Bureau of Fire to the Philadelphia Fire Department; no longer part of the Dept. of Public Safety.

1953 Daily radio broadcasts by Fire Prevention division:  Fire Alarm;  Swearing in of 314 members of new Philadelphia Reserve Fire Force to help in times of emergency; Pipeline cos. phased out; 3 Hose Line Cos. or high pressure, organized.  

1954 30decrease in fire losses over the year before. Fire Prevention demonstration on NBC s  Today Show  in the first live color TV broadcast from Philadelphia.  Fire boat station built on the Schuylkill River.

1954 October 25th ten members killed at the Berg Explosion. Hero Scholarship established as a result.  

1955 Another reduction in fires, nearly 1,000, and a dramatic increase in fire prevention programs such as Fire Check Program where the PFD inspected homes and businesses as well as school and industrial safety programs.  

1957 First standard training manual in 42 years published.  Work schedule of 10's and 14's begun.  

1958 City Ordinance passed resulting in major changes in city's fire prevention code.  Changes dealt mainly with multiple occupancy dwellings fire extinguishing equipment and flammable liquids.

1960 Philadelphia led the nation in field of fire prevention for 8th consecutive year. Fire Prevention did national broadcast with Dick Clark on American Bandstand in 1960.

1961 First pumpers with enclosed cabs purchased; Fire training school used by outside groups as well as the department.

1962  Fire Insurance Patrol, which was organized in 1859, disbanded; Dramatic increases in number of fires; fire prevention programs increased in response.

1963 Fretz Bldg. Fire, one of the Department s biggest ushered in the new year on January 1.
 
1966 First apparatus with automatic transmission purchased.  Philadelphia held first place as most fire safe city.

1967 New equipment   city s first 2 snorkels.  Civil Defense Radio receiver installed in the fire alarm room. Museum of the Philadelphia Fire Dept. dedicated.  

1968 PFD began TV educational training programs.

1972 Secondary Joker Bells  discontinued.

1975 Four-Platoon,  D  Platoon, went into operation. Eight members killed at Gulf Refinery.

1976 New Fire Administration Building opened at Third and Spring Garden Streets.  

1977 Hazardous Materials units established.  

1978 PFD continues to receive honors for fire prevention, including Valley Forge Freedom Foundation Award for its school and youth programs.  

1980 Began series of budget cuts with positions eliminated for first time.  

1984 Appointment of William C. Richmond. During his tenure mandatory smoke detection legislation went into effect (1984).  MOVE took place in 1985.  

1987 First fully enclosed cabs delivered.

1990 Fire Prevention activities included: 2,762 programs to schools, hospitals, nursing homes etc. Field units were involved in 4,382 events.  Community outreach fire prevention programs had increased by 72over the previous year.  Plans were underway for formation of heavy rescue first introduced in 1926 but phased out in the 1960s. Ambulance units would no longer be known as rescue units by Medic units.

1991 Meridian fire, a 12 alarm fire, was fought from February 23 to 24. Even though firefighters rescued by HUP Mobile-Evacuation helicopter, 3 firefighters were killed. Led to mandatory sprinkler legislation in high-rise buildings.  Terminology Pipeline came into use, March 15th.  

1993 PFD responded to 193,505 calls of which 50,347 were fire related; 120,451 were medical and 22, 707 were miscellaneous.  

1995 New color scheme for apparatus: white over red.  EMS calls increase dramatically   new units organized to attempt to keep pace. Part-time units established along with two new Platoons of medics E and F.  

Bob Shea, Carol Smith and Jack Wright, 08/08/07