Where firefighters come to talk training
History of Fire Service Traditions
I have started to incorporate little bits and pieces of fire service history and traditions in my various training classes. In order to make sure I'm passing along accurate information, I'd like to verify the history and origin of some of the more common FD traditions. I wonder if as a group we could assemble an accurate overview of some of the most common fire service traditions.
For example: Housing Ceremony for New Fire Apparatus
Part of the traditional housing ceremony includes having the firefighters push the new apparatus into the firehouse. The origin is reported to be from the time of horse drawn equipment which could not be easily be backed into the building by the horses. In some places water from an old unit was transferred to the new apparatus often leading to spillage which then required the unit to be wiped down. In some places when the new engine or piece arrived, one of the mutual aid companies would be given the honor of escorting it to the fire company's firehouse and placing it in service. I have heard several reasons for why the unit is pushed in three separate times - What's your version of the reason for three "push back's"??
Other traditions and ceremonies for discussion might include the reasons and purpose of the various symbols used in FD badges and patches; history and overview of common apparatus design features like the Mattydale hose load or booster lines; bells on fire apparatus; etc. etc.
We've all heard various stories and reasons but I sometimes wonder which stories are the most accurate. Maybe this group can collaborate and pull together accurate information.
For example: Housing Ceremony for New Fire Apparatus
Part of the traditional housing ceremony includes having the firefighters push the new apparatus into the firehouse. The origin is reported to be from the time of horse drawn equipment which could not be easily be backed into the building by the horses. In some places water from an old unit was transferred to the new apparatus often leading to spillage which then required the unit to be wiped down. In some places when the new engine or piece arrived, one of the mutual aid companies would be given the honor of escorting it to the fire company's firehouse and placing it in service. I have heard several reasons for why the unit is pushed in three separate times - What's your version of the reason for three "push back's"??
Other traditions and ceremonies for discussion might include the reasons and purpose of the various symbols used in FD badges and patches; history and overview of common apparatus design features like the Mattydale hose load or booster lines; bells on fire apparatus; etc. etc.
We've all heard various stories and reasons but I sometimes wonder which stories are the most accurate. Maybe this group can collaborate and pull together accurate information.
Views: 1411
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jason Franklin on -
My department doesn't recognize any traditions, except for swearing in new recruits. I have been trying to create a traditions class of my own. Is there a chance that I could see the material that you do have? I have to google everything!
The only thing that I know about pushing back an apparatus is that the horse drawn equipment had to be pushed in. We honor our past by continuing that tradition with our new apparatus. I have not heard about doing it three time? If I am off track on any of this please help me out!
I would like to know more about washing the tires on the rigs, I've heard two stories. One is that it's just to wash the horse crap off the wheels. The other is that when the tires were wooden spokes, that you needed to keep the wood damp. To prevent the wood from shrinking and keeping the wheels from falling apart? -
-
Permalink Reply by Ron Becknell on -
As for washing the rig after every call I have read in a couple of different books that it was mainly to wash off the horse crap that was sometimes kicked up on the apparatus.
I know in a recent book about New York firefighting there is a lot of talk of the first fire engines being pulled by hand to fires and that horses were not used at all for quite some time. So this could also be the origin the pushing the rig back in the station, there was no other way to get it in there. -
-
Permalink Reply by Jay Wood on -
Here is a link to a nice site about fire service history. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the material, but it seems accurate. I don't see right off anything about the traditions of the fire service. Maybe the site will add that in the near future. www.firehistory.org/
-
-
Permalink Reply by William King on -
Policy Page
We are excited to have you participate in our discussions and interactive forums. Before you begin posting, please take a moment to read our policy page HERE. -- Bobby Halton
Be Alert for Spam
We actively monitor the community for spam, however some does slip through. Please use common sense and caution when clicking links. If you suspect you've been hit by spam, e-mail peterp@pennwell.com.
Roundtable
Does your fire department have a policy concerning working above or below truss assemblies involved in fire? CLICK HERE to send us your reply.
FE on Twitter
© 2013 Created by fireeng.
