HISTORIC PHOTOS ST. LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT

[nozzleman]

This was posted on Steve's Facebook Page. Instead of trying to paraphrase what he wrote I copied and pasted the information.  All information is from Steve Arnold retired Fire Chief Pattonville Fire


Before St. Louis organized and paid its firefighters, men from all walks of life served as volunteers in neighborhood fire-fighting companies. These men donated countless hours to vigorous training and meetings. They also abandoned their own work and leisure activities when the fire bells sounded. The job required strength, bravery, and teamwork.


In operation from the early 1820s until their disbandment in 1859, new volunteer companies formed as St. Louis’s population increased. The volunteer companies were competitive in many ways, sometimes to the detriment of successfully fighting a fire. There was often competition to be the first to secure the closest—and limited—water source.

But they did come together to improve the city. Understanding the danger of the city’s poor water supply and dark, narrow streets, they pushed for change. Their advocacy led to the development of a municipal water system and improvements for city streets, including the installation of gas street lamps.

This hand pumper engine, built-in 1836 by Philadelphian John Agnew, belonged to Central Fire Company No. 1. Several veterans found it in 1889 in Mount Olive, Illinois, the last place it was used. The Veteran Volunteer Firemen’s Historical Society brought it back to St. Louis and restored it.




















There are more pictures on my Smugmug site. Including some very old fire helmets