Fire Brigade History
The first was formed in Edinburgh
in 1824 under James Braidwood as Firemaster. Manchester started its Brigade in
1828 and in 1833 the London Insurance Companies combined to form the London Fire
Engine Establishment and Braidwood was brought from Scotland to take command.
Braidwood was killed in a warehouse fire in 1861 and was succeeded by Captain
Massey Shaw. Massey Shaw issued his firemen with a new style helmet - the famous
brass helmet - which became common all over the country.
He
was also responsible for many improvements in equipment such as steam fire
engines and street alarms.
Under the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act of 1865 the fire protection of London was handed over to the Metropolitan Board of Works and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was born.
This was the fore-runner of the present London Fire Brigade. Gradually towns all over the country organised municipal fire brigades, some were full time but there were many volunteer brigades in small towns and villages. Although these fire fighting services existed, to a greater or lesser extent, in the rest of the country they were not compulsory.
