Frequently Asked Firsts

First Volunteer Fire Company in America

In 1736 in Philadelphia, PA, Benjamin Franklin formed the first volunteer fire company, called the Union Fire Company. Franklin served on it as America's first volunteer fire chief.

First Paid Fire Department in America

A large fire in Boston in 1679, led to the organization of the first paid fire department in North America, if not the world. Boston selectman imported a fire engine from England and employed a fire chief. Thomas Atkins, and 12 fire fighters to operate it.

First Firehouse Pole

David B. Kenyon, Captain of Engine Company No. 21 of the Chicago Fire Department , was the inventor of the siding pole in 1878.

First Fire Alarm Telegraph

The fire alarm telegraph was invented by Wiliam F. Channing of Boston, MA and Moses G. Farmer of Salem, MA, in 1847. After many attempts, Channing was successful in getting the city of Boston to agree to test the device. Channing, working with Farmer, tested the system, solved the problems, and installed the first municipal fire alarm system using a telegraph in Boston, MA in 1882.