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Our Everyday Heroes: Firefighters

Updated on Sep 11, 2019. Originally added on Aug 29, 2016 by Kathy Pinna

Firefighters are brave and dedicated individuals who play a crucial role in keeping communities safe from fires and other emergencies.

They are often the first responders to a fire or emergency situation, and their quick and decisive actions can make all the difference in preventing loss of life and property damage.

Discover pictures of some of these heroes from the 1850's through the 1940's - including their equipment and fire engines. Thank you firefighters!

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Historic Photos of Firefighters

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Remnants of the World Trade Center

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They formed a cross from the remnants of the disaster.

Cartes de visite of firefighters, 1865

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1901 Plattsburgh, NY

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Photo of Susan Pombrio Susan Pombrio
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shared on 05/27/2015

4th of July Parade

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Graduating class of firefighters

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Joseph Healy
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shared on 08/28/2013

Volunteer firefighters

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Kirkland Washington

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1940's Pennsylvania

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Mary Reed
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shared on 01/15/2012

1920's training school

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Woodworker & volunteer firefighter

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1941 poster - volunteers needed!

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Click on this photo to learn the history of firetrucks

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Ambulance driver

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Resting in the firehouse

Suppressing 1930 fire

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Inspecting extinguished fire

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Ever wonder how they dress so quickly?

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Click on the photo to find out!

All kids love fire engines!

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The "joker"

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The fire alarm system, called the "joker".

Firefighters at rest

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Ancient Egypt and Rome had fire machinery, and after the Great Fire of London in 1666, fire brigades were organized.

In the United States, President George Washington was a volunteer firefighter and bought Alexandria Virginia its first fire engine. During the Civil War, government run fire brigades were created in the US but many communities still had volunteer fire departments. As recent as 2010, 70% of firefighters were still volunteers.

Have photos that you'd like to see included? Share your photos or click on "next page" to see photos of other first responders: the police.

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