Over the past several years, we have knocked on doors or simply stepped inside open garages and were never disappointed by the warm and genuine greeting that every firefighter gave to us. Inevitably, the conversations that we had with these fine men and women always turned to their experience during 9/11 and to those friends and fellow firefighters that their house had lost. Throughout our journey walking on the side streets of Manhattan, however, we also learned the fascinating history behind the stations, became acutely aware of the camaraderie that these people share with one another, and experienced the devotion and passion that each and every one of them has for their job.
The history of the New York Fire Department extends back to 1648, when the city was still known as “New Amsterdam.” “Fire Ordinances” made it so that residents were fined for dirty chimneys, which then provided funds for buckets, hooks, and ladders. At the beginning, all male residents were required to serve on the fire watch.
Fire fighting remained a community affair until 1731, when the first “fire brigades” were formed. London provided New York with two hand-drawn pumpers, known as Engine Company 1 and Engine Company 2. In 1737, the Fire Department of the City of New York was established by the General Assembly. The department was made up of volunteers until 1865 when the paid Metropolitan Fire Department took over the responsibilities.
The Department continued to grow and change. Today, the FDNY covers 320 square miles and is responsible for some eight and a half million residents. After visiting so many firehouses these past few years, we can confidently say that New York firefighters are some of the kindest and cheeriest people that we have encountered. While most people see them as anonymous heroes whose arrival upon a distressing scene is announced by sirens, we have had the enormous pleasure of spending time with them in between calls.
Whether they are taking care of firehouse Dalmatians, playing pranks on each other, or letting neighborhood children sit in their trucks, each firefighter that we have met has shown an infectious love of life. At first we found this surprising, considering the danger inherent in their line of work and what they must confront on a regular basis. After speaking to the firemen, however, we came away with a more positive perspective. As a member of Company 74 summed it up, “It’s the best job in the world. You get to help people.”
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