Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association

Before the late 1700's, there was no organized fire protection. If a fire occurred and was discovered in time, the only protection available was for the residents to start a bucket brigade from the closest well or pond. Often, the only thing to do was to save the building's content, and watch it burn down. This type of fire protection was typical in the County and throughout the populated rural United States until late 1880.

The earliest record of an organized fire alarm system in the County was found in Upper Marlboro when, in 1879, an impromptu fire alarm system was put into place. Slowly, organized fire protection began to develop in the towns of Upper Marlboro, Hyattsville, Bladensburg and Laurel. Most organizations were started by local citizens after major fires had occurred in their towns.

The first incorporated fire company was started Upper Marlboro after a large portion of the town was destroyed by two separate fires during 1886. In response to these events, local citizens organized a volunteer fire company, the Marlboro Fire Association.

The Marlboro Fire Association, was incorporated by the Circuit Court of Prince George's County on March 8, 1887. Donations were raised from the members, residents and businessmen.

The first equipment purchased was a hand drawn hook and ladder wagon, which could be pulled by horses when they were available. The wagon carried 12 buckets, two long-hooked spars, two red ladders and a brass gong for the firemen to sound while responding to an alarm. Unfortunately, the ladders were often not available when needed, the resident having borrowed them to paint their houses.

The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department was the second organization to come into existence, after major fires destroyed several homes in the area during 1886.

The next large fire department formed was the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. It is believed to have started in 1886, but did not come formally organized until October 13, 1902.

In 1905, Capitol Heights formed in order to cope with the problem of adequate fire protection. Other towns soon to follow were Mount Rainier in 1911, and the Riverdale Bucket Brigade in 1913.

In 1915, Seat Pleasant and Community Welfare Association came into existence.

In 1922, the following fire departments were formed: Cottage City -March 23, 1922; Bradensburg - August 2, 1922; Brentwood - September 14, 1922; Branchville "October 1922. Each of the new fire departments were unique in their own way.

In December of 1922, representatives from the volunteer fire departments of Hyattsville, Cottage City, Mount Rainier and Brentwood met at the home of John Klein. With the idea of creating an organization for the benefit of dissemination knowledge and education; and adding strength through a mutual unity of purpose the Prince George's Volunteer Firemen's Association was formed. However, at the time, not all of the existing fire companies around the County shared the views and as such did not initially join the Association.

TEXT 5

Communication systems are necessary to alert fire departments to the outbreak of a fire. Most fire alarms are telephoned to the fire department. Many communities have introduced 9-1-1 as the telephone number to call in emergencies. This number can be dialed from almost any telephone and from most pay phones without a coin.

Most other alarms are sent from automatic signaling devices, which are installed in many public buildings. These devices include smoke and heat detectors that are wired to send an alarm automatically to an alarm-monitoring center. A sprinkler system can also be wired to alert the fire department automatically.

Alarm headquarters in a small fire department may consist of one switchboard operator. Most large fire departments have a computerized system of receiving alarms, notifying fire stations, and transmitting data to computer terminals in fire trucks. Each fire truck has a two-way radio for communication with the dispatcher (official who sends the truck out) and the fire department officer in charge at the emergency scene.

Оглавление:

Введение 3

Unit 1 Fire Protection in Russia 4

Unit 2 Fire 24

Unit 3 Fire Classification 40

Unit 4 Explosions 66

Unit 5 The Extinguishment of Fire 86

Unit 6 Fire Prevention and Fire Safety 106

UNIT 7 Fire Protection Devices and Appliances 130

UNIT 8 Fire of Buildings and Constructions 147

UNIT 9 Arson 168

UNIT 10 Fire Safety in the United Kingdom 190

UNIT 11 US Fire Service 207

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