Organized
companies of fire-fighters first appeared in Colonial America and were
mobilized, like local militias, on a volunteer basis. Like military equipment,
firefighting apparatus evolved in tandem with technological advances. This
volume traces the development of the chief and best-known fire-fighting
apparatus 'the pumper or fire engine' from hand-drawn pumps, through horse-drawn
vehicles in the 19th Century to the advanced fire trucks of the 21st Century.
Chapters introduce the early years of the pumper, follow its motorization, and
then, decade-by-decade, meticulously review the evolution of the fire truck from
the 1930s until today. The book’s dedication to the fire-fighters who gave their
lives on 9-11 serves as a reminder that the nation's First Responders stand
guard together with the armed forces on the front lines of our defence.
Illustrated with over 300 photographs.
