First in the Nation: Cincinnati Fire Department
In 1852, a massive fire almost completely destroyed Eagle Iron Works which was owned by Cincinnatian Miles Greenwood. The fire could not be controlled by the untrained volunteer firefighters and the hand engines of the time could not pump water fast enough to suppress the fire. At the time, Greenwood was also a member of the Cincinnati volunteer fire department and recognized the volunteer system was not as fast or efficient as it should be. He described the department as the place “where the youth of the city were trained in vice, vulgarity, and debauchery.”
Greenwood decided to create a more professional fire department and improve the equipment they used. He recruited two other Cincinnati residents, Abel Shawk and Alexander Bonner Latta, and in March of 1852, the trio began construction of the world’s first practical steam-powered fire engine. After finishing their engine, which could begin pumping water out in 10 minutes (significantly faster than other engines), they presented it to the Cincinnati City Council and the Council members agreed to the purchase of the first steam fire engine.
The fire engine was presented to the Cincinnati Fire Department (“CFD”) on January 1, 1853, and made Cincinnati the first city in the world to use steam fire engines. This first engine was named “Uncle Joe Ross” after a City Council member. The CFD also began to hire and train their firefighters to become full time, paid city employees. On April 1, 1853, CFD became the first professional and fully paid fire department in the United States and Greenwood was named as the department’s first chief. In 1854, the residents of the City raised enough funds for CFD to purchase a second engine, which was known as the “Citizen’s Gift” and by 1863, CFD only used steam engines.
Today, approaching their 172nd year as a professional fire department, “the CFD provides fire suppression, first responder emergency medical services (EMS), advanced life support (ALS) transport, arson investigation, fire prevention, hazardous devices and hazardous material incidents response.” The CFD operates 26 fire stations throughout 77 square miles in the City of Cincinnati, with 26 engine companies; 12 truck (ladder) companies; 2 heavy rescue units; and 12 medic and ALS transport units. Due to rising demands, CFD is going to be adding additional EMS transport units, along with ALS responding units to ensure better services.
CFD also provides response coverage to 25 miles of Ohio River shoreline.
According to a current firefighter, Shaun McComas, CFD firefighters begin their careers by attending a six-month long drill school which includes fire, EMS, and fire inspector training. All CFD firefighters hold multiple certifications and are required to attend continuing education classes in order to maintain those certifications. “We are constantly training (physically and mentally), upgrading our technology, and learning so that we are at a constant of readiness to respond to the Citizens of Cincinnati and those who work and pass through.”
To learn more about CFD or to find more details on how to become a local hero and CFD firefighter, check out www.cincinnati-oh.gov/fire.
