Fire & Rescue

The history of firefighting dates back to ancient times when early humans learned to control fire for warmth, safety, and cooking. In Ancient Rome, organised fire brigades were established to fight fires using bucket brigades and pumps. Stories from this time are difficult to find, with many lost to history.

This section includes stories ranging from Emperor Augustus Caesar, who created Rome’s firefighting force in 6 AD, to more recent accounts such as that of Josephine Reynolds, one of the first full-time female firefighters in the UK.