The London Fire Brigade

Following the Great Fire, wooden houses started giving way¹ to brick and people started insuring their property against fire. Insurance companies introduced fire engines, some of which were designed on the continent and recruited firefighters from the watermen who plied the Thames. Gradually the insurance industry expanded and the brigades began cooperate. The establishment was headed by the former Edinburgh Fire Chief James Braidwood, who brought many new ideas with him. He believed that to be really effective fireman should be as close as possible to the seat of the fire, a principle which still holds good today. Their first big test came in 1834 when a huge fire destroyed much of the Houses of Parliament. In 1861 their greatest test arrived with a fire in Tooley Street. The fire raged for two days destroying much of the Tooley Street area. The fire was too much for the insurance companies. A committee was appointed and after much debate they recommended to form a brigade at public expense. So the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Act² was passed in 1865.

In 1866 the new brigade was commanded by Captain Eyre Massey Shaw. He was a personal friend of the Prince of Wales. He expanded the use of steam engines, introduced telegraph systems and rationalized life saving operations. Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) took a keen interest³, his fire uniform was always kept ready at the Fire Station in Charring Cross⁴.

The brigade's title was officially changed, by Act of Parliament in 1904, though it had been popularly known as the London Fire Brigade for a number of years. Many innovations were introduced in the coming years, with the most notable being the motor vehicle.

During the period between World War I and World War II, fully enclosed⁵ fire appliances were developed, faster fire boats were in use on the Thames and the brass helmet that had been in use for seventy years was replaced by stronger cork helmet. A new headquarters was built on the Albert Embankment, by Lambert Bridge⁶ (still the headquarters today).

In 1963 the local Government Act was passed which paved the way⁷ for the establishment of the London Fire Brigade as it is today.

The next two decades saw a number of changes. Wheeled escapes which were introduced to rescue people trapped in Victorian tenements⁸ were replaced with lighter, manoeuvrable alloy ladders; hydraulic platforms now aid aerial firefighting. On the 31st of March 1986 control of the fire brigade was passed to a new body, The London Fire and Civil Defense Authority⁹.

Today The London Fire and Civil Defense Authority is responsible for the capital's fire service and for emergency planning functions and employs just under 7,600 staff of which approximately 6,200 are operational firefighters and officers. The London Fire Brigade covers 620 square miles of Greater London. There are 113 fire stations and one river station divided into three areas of Eastern, Western and Southern Commands. The brigade now undertakes a lot of work which it classes as "Special Services". Their work falls into four main categories: enforcing laws on fire safety measures in buildings like hotels, offices and factories; advising on measures in clubs, cinemas; advising on fire safety in such buildings as schools, residential homes and general fire safety publicity.

Notes

1. to give way to – уступать

2. Metropolitan Fire Brigade Act – постановление о столичной пожарной команде

3. to take a keen interest – проявлять большой интерес

4. Charring Cross – Чаринг Крос (перекресток между Трафальгарской площадью и улицей Уайтхолл)

5. fully enclosed – в закрытом исполнении, полностью засекреченный

6. Lambeth Bridge – Ламбетский мост (по названию района Лондона, где он находится)

7. to pave the way – подготовить почву

8. Victorian tenements – жильё, жилые кварталы Викторианской эпохи

9. London Fire and Civil Defence Authority –Управление пожарной службы и гражданской обороны Лондона.

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