Fire Brigades of 1866

A History On-Line Resource Page by Howard Taylor
Firefighters in the Early Days This sections begins with highlights of a very early description of training for FIRES, FIRE ENGINES, AND FIRE BRIGADES By Charles F.T. Young, Chief Engineer, 1866.

"ONE volunteer is worth ten pressed men... and the zeal thus generated, the enthusiasm thus excited, cannot fail to render a volunteer fire brigade far more efficient and smart than any mere mercenary brigade can ever hope to be... "

Who makes a good volunteer?
"... must understand the importance of the duties they undertake to perform, have the courage and strength of body necessary to enable them to encounter the work, ... have a coolness and exactness and readiness which he obeys his orders."

CFD's manual days were run by the Excelsior Hose Company and the Hope Hook & Ladder Company. These Charleston citizenry would manually pull these large carts to the fire scene in the 1870's through the 1890's.

Physical requirements of a volunteer fireman:
"... a medium sized man of vigorous mind, active habits, a moderate liver, cool in danger, of an enterprising, bold disposition, good and even temper, and in the habit of practicing rowing or athletic exercises... few things look more ridiculous than a volunteer fireman either so short and small that his helmet seems to be the greatest portion that can be seen, or so long and lanky that he might stand on the 'lee side of a rope yarn.' "

Proper use of Fire Engines:
"... avoid, is that of turning their engines into hack coaches, to run about with their crowd, or to please the whims and fancies of those who know no better, and think it something 'loud' to make believe that they really are firemen, but take precious good care to avoid being of any practical utility in the hour of need."

Charleston's first fire wagon, the Babcock Hook & Ladder, probably on a practice run with roan horses Tom & Alex. The collapsed building in the background was the result of weakoning a supporting wall during remodelling efforts. The picutre was about 1914.

Behavior of the volunteer in the brigade:
"... avoid the foolish and unbusinesslike system of bawling and shouting to each other at fires, as this adds in no small degree to the confusion then existing and rarely fails to cause some misunderstanding from orders being mistaken or unnoticed because confounded with the noise of the crowd... The whistle affords a ready means of signaling, and one not easily mistaken... pleasure would hardly fail to be felt by all parties at seeing the duties properly and efficiently carried out in a quiet and unexcited manner."

The new alarm bell in 1875 was a modern way of letting all the community know there was a disaster impending. Whenever it would ring all local City officials, volunteers and regular fire department volunteers would respond to pull the hose carts (also located in two other locations around town) and the big Babcock located in the main fire hall. They were all pulled manually until the arrival of Tom & Alex. If a city official would fail to respond he would be fined.

Drill & Practice:
"Perseverance in drills under experienced instructors will soon bring a brigade into such advantages of a smart well-drilled company of volunteers."

In the period of the early 1960's, CFD and area rural volunteer departments often met to practice raising ladders, hose operations, and other skills. This training was motivated by the acquisition of the new Quad engine with some extra long new ladders. It was a combination long ladder hauler and pumper in one package.

Coolness & Rashness:
"The volunteer fireman should ... carefully cultivate coolness and steadiness in his work so that he may never be guilty of that most unpardonable fault --RASHNESS-- from which so many disasters have and will arise... if he has no regard for himself, he ought at least to have a little for others."

Charleston Fire Department old building in its pre 1952 form. The porch was added in the teens, and torn off in the 1950's to make room for the wide turns of the quad (see the picture above while training). Inside the main entrance we can see a real cool and relaxed crews of CFD men.

Showing Off:
"Some persons cannot resist the temptation to 'show off' and make themselves conspicuous by all sorts of absurdities and antics, running up and down ladders, capering about on balconies or roofs, in and out of doors and windows, when no earthly necessity for such proceedings, or, as they have well called 'gymnastics exercises,' exists... The consequences frequently resulting from them, of which
will yet be fresh on the minds of our readers:

(the GRIM REAPER beckoning) . death

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