Fires and Fire-Fighters

John Kenlon (1861 - 1940)

John Kenlon became a New York City firefighter in 1887, and was appointed Fire Chief in 1911. In 1913, he wrote this authoritative book surveying the history of fire-fighting from ancient Rome to 20th-century New York. The first part of the book explores the evolution of fire-fighting techniques in various countries and the development of equipment and organization, and describes several famous historical fires and how they were fought. The remainder of the book discusses in greater detail some particular types of fires confronting an urban fire department in 1913, such as hotel, theater, factory, hospital, and school fires, sea port fires, and skyscraper fires. The author also emphasizes the need for high pressure water delivery systems, sprinkler systems, modern apparatus, and proper training for firefighters, and touches on the role of underwriters and salvage corps. - Summary by Maria Kasper

Genre(s): Technology & Engineering

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Introduction Maria Kasper
00:14:06
Play 02 Fire Fighting in Ancient Rome Maria Kasper
00:11:28
Play 03 The Evolution of Fire Fighting Maria Kasper
00:24:46
Play 04 Past and Present - Reminiscences of a Fire Fighter Maria Kasper
00:53:27
Play 05 The French Fire Fighter Maria Kasper
00:47:44
Play 06 Fire Fighting in Germany Maria Kasper
00:36:36
Play 07 Fire Departments of Middle Europe Maria Kasper
00:36:22
Play 08 The Trade of Arson Maria Kasper
00:33:55
Play 09 Gasoline and Garages Maria Kasper
00:21:33
Play 10 Great Fires and How They Were Fought, part 1A Maria Kasper
00:39:36
Play 11 Great Fires and How They Were Fought, part 1B Maria Kasper
00:34:24
Play 12 Great Fires and How They Were Fought, part 2 Maria Kasper
00:52:10
Play 13 The Hotel Peril Maria Kasper
00:38:09
Play 14 Theatres and Fire Panics Maria Kasper
00:28:09
Play 15 The High Pressure System Maria Kasper
00:27:21
Play 16 Fire Control in Schools, Factories, and Hospitals Maria Kasper
00:40:08
Play 17 Fire Fighting in the United Kingdom Maria Kasper
00:56:48
Play 18 The New York Fire Department Maria Kasper
00:40:43
Play 19 Sea Port Problems Maria Kasper
00:36:35
Play 20 Fire Strategy in the Homes of the People Maria Kasper
00:29:02
Play 21 Quick Burners Maria Kasper
00:36:07
Play 22 The Problem of the Skyscraper Maria Kasper
00:26:33
Play 23 Apparatus for Fire Fighting Maria Kasper
00:36:28
Play 24 Two Platoon System Maria Kasper
00:07:55
Play 25 Underwriters and Salvage Corps Maria Kasper
00:22:25
Play 26 Conclusion Maria Kasper
00:20:24