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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 until
1938. For instance the City of Gloucester had two separate Insurance Company Brigades, in
1908 the City Corporation decided to establish their own Brigade which finally started to
operate in 1910 from Bearland Fire Station. These premises are now the City Transport
Museum. |