We create some of the finest, creative and unique Firefighter recognition awards and Firefighter Gifts as well as EMS, Law Enforcement and RCMP Awards, and Canadian Forces awards - all custom made at great prices.
 
Firefighting is a highly technical skill and firefighters have many years of training in general firefighting and other specialities such as rescue services and emergency medical services. Firefighters are often the “certified first responders” to people in life threatening conditions and disasters.
 
In their role Firefighters provide essential services to their communities such as:
 
• Fire fighting
• Emergency medical services
• Alleviating Hazardous materials (spills, leaks, etc.)
• Vehicle rescue and rescuing people from vehicles
• Search and rescue including cold water and swift water rescue, confined space rescue
• Disaster response
• Fire risk assessment
• Wilderness fire suppression
 
Fire departments provide fire prevention services which includes public education at community events about fire safety in homes and in schools. This information is distributed by conducting presentations, distributing safety brochures, providing news articles, writing public safety announcements and setting up displays in well visited areas.
 
They also ensure that commercial dwellings such as hotels, offices, factories and schools are equipped with adequate fire precautions to ensure that people safely evacuate unharmed in the event of a fire. They conduct building inspections to make sure that buildings are up to the current building fire codes as well as working with
builders and city planners.
 
The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary says that the English word "firefighter" has been used since 1903. In recent years it has become the preferred term, replacing the older term "fireman", as many women work as firefighters, and also because the term "fireman" can have other meanings, such as someone who sets fires – the opposite of the firefighting role.
 
Most communities have a combination of paid firefighters and volunteer firefighters to put out fires, so as to prevent loss of life, to protect property and the environment.
 
The first known firefighters were created by the Romans. Under Augustus in 31 BC the term “bucket brigade” was born. A strong force of 500 men, called Vigilies would patrol ancient Rome, acting as a police patrol, and passing buckets of water to put out fires. They also used pumps, as well as poles, hooks and even ballistae (a type of siege weapon) to tear down buildings in advance of the flames.
 
Early cities of Europe suffered many catastrophic fires and it wasn’t until the Great Fire of London in 1666 that private insurance companies formed fire brigades to fight fires for their insurers and only their own! Firefighting made huge advancements when the first manual pump fire engine was invented in the 17th century in Germany. The first fire engine was patented in London in March 1691 and was described as the engine being pumped by a team of men. The fire engine in America was patented in 1725. It was pulled as a cart to the fire, manned by teams of men and could deliver up to 160 gallons of water per minute at up to 120 feet.
 
In 1648 the first wardens of America were appointed by the New Amsterdam governor Peter Stuyvesant. Their jobs were to inspect all chimneys and fine any violators of the rules. Later there were 8 citizens appointed to the “Rattle Watch” who patrolled the streets at night carrying large wooden rattles. If a fire was seen the men spun the rattles and directed others to form bucket brigades. In 1736 Benjamin Franklin formed the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia.
 
America did not have any government run fire departments until around the time of the American Civil War. Before this time insurance companies had their own paid fire brigades competing with each other to be the first responders. The first known female fire fighter was Molly Williams, an African American slave, belonging to Benjamin Aymar who was allied with the Oceanus Engine Company #11 in 1818 in New York City.
 
Vancouver’s Fire and Rescue history started later. May 28, 1886, Vancouver's first fire department was formed. Just 2 weeks later on June 13, 1886, Vancouver burned to the ground. The fire fighting steam pump City council had ordered from the Ronald Co. of Ontario hadn't arrived yet! History of Vancouver.
 
More on the history of Fire Brigades in Canada can be found at Canadian Fire Fighter Museum. Another great collection is at the Vancouver Fire Fighters Historical Society
 
The first organised municipal fire brigade in the world was formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1824. London followed in 1832 with the London Fire Engine Establishment and in 1853 the Cincinnati, Ohio Fire Department became the first full time paid professional fire department in the USA and the first to use steam fire engines.
 
The image of the “Dalmatian” dog on the fire engine is familiar to us. These dogs were used because of their protective nature and loyalty. Dalmatians and horses have shared barns and hunts for centuries so when fire-engines was horse drawn nearly every fire house had its resident Dalmatian to help direct the horses, keep them company and to guard the fire house. Dalmatians were a favourite because of their size, friendly nature, ability to train and care for themselves.
 
Call us today to find out more about our unique firefighting awards, trophies and plaques: 1-855-545-6518