Provincial fire-fighting in England 1666-1941
The thesis examines and explains the history of provincial fire-fighting in England. A literature survey demonstrates the academic neglect of the subject, and discusses the written work that exists. This is supplemented by an extensive bibliography. An outline of early fire history then indicates that nothing happened in the fight against fire until the Great Fire of London, in 1666. This event directly inspired the formation of the first fire brigades in Britain by the insurance companies. Financing their own fire brigades, the insurance companies set a precedent that was to hinder the establishment of a national system of fire-fighting for over two hundred years. Two constant themes emerge: the first is that it takes a disaster to prompt action, and the second is that there was no overall organisation in English firefighting until World War Two. A study of fire appliances reveals that their slow development hindered the growth of fire brigades, but once multiple manufacturers emerged and became competitive, then interest was stimulated, directly resulting in the establishment of many local brigades. An examination of equipment follows this. By studying the types and sizes of brigades it is revealed that
Powner, Jonathan R.
History
Provincial fire-fighting in England 1666-1941. The thesis examines and explains the history of provincial fire-fighting in England. A literature survey demonstrates the academic neglect of the subject, and discusses the written work that exists. This is supplemented by an extensive bibliography. An outline of early fire history then indicates that nothing happened in the fight against fire until the Great Fire of London, in 1666. This event directly inspired the formation of the first fire brigades in Britain by the insurance companies. Financing their own fire brigades, the insurance companies set a precedent that was to hinder the establishment of a national system of fire-fighting for over two hundred years. Two constant themes emerge: the first is that it takes a disaster to prompt action, and the second is that there was no overall organisation in English firefighting until World War Two. A study of fire appliances reveals that their slow development hindered the growth of fire brigades, but once multiple manufacturers emerged and became competitive, then interest was stimulated, directly resulting in the establishment of many local brigades. An examination of equipment follows this. By studying the types and sizes of brigades it is revealed that
provincial fire fighting england examines explain history provincial fire fighting england literature survey demonstrate academic neglect_subject discuss write work exists supplement extensive bibliography outline early fire history indicate nothing happen fight fire great fire london event directly inspire formation first fire britain insurance company financing fire insurance company set precedent hinder establishment national system fire fighting constant theme_emerge first take disaster prompt action second overall organisation english world_war_two study fire reveals slow development hinder growth fire multiple manufacturer emerge become competitive interest stimulate directly result establishment many local examination equipment follow this study type size reveal