Early Fire Prevention

• The first fire engine used in Salem was bought by Richard Derby and others in 1749. Most residents in those days had leather buckets at the ready to help put out fires.

• Before modern days, the fire department had consisted of steam fire engines and hand-engines, hook and ladder carriages, and hose-carriages.

• In 1744, the first of many fire clubs was organized.

• Many good articles on this topic can be found in the sources cited below.

• For more recent Fire fighter history in Salem see Salem Fire Department on this wiki.

See Also

Annals of Salem Felt, Vol. 1, p. 365-372

Salem in the Eighteenth Century Phillips, p. 189-194

Historical Sketch of Salem Osgood, p.76

Essex Institute Historical Collectionarticle on "fire clubs" in Salem, Vol. 39: p.1-28