Baltimore United Fire Department
1834 - 1859
..The first attempt to provide a more uniform, and organized system for the management of the volunteer fire companies of Baltimore was made in 1831, when the “Baltimore Association of Firemen” was organized. It maintained its organization until 1833, when a more thorough system of organization was determined upon, which became known as the “Baltimore United Fire Department”.
..On November 18, 1833, a convention was held of the 15 fire companies of Baltimore at the old City Hall. Jesse Hunt of the Washington Hose Company, then Mayor of Baltimore presided.
..“Articles of Association” were adopted to govern the B.U.F.D., which included fines and penalties for non-compliance. A standing committee of 3 members from each company was established to hear and determine disputes between members, and to assemble, and maintain order on the fire ground.
..Voting was by companies, each company being entitled to one vote. Each company associated in the department was required to pay 5 dollars annually toward the expenses of the department.
..On January 20, 1834, the department was organized and the 15 member organizations were numbered as follows:
..No. 1, Mechanical
..No.2, Union
..No.3, Friendship
..No.4, Deptford
..No.5, Liberty
..No.6, Independent
..No.7, Vigilant
..No.8, New Market
..No.9, Columbian
..No.10, First Baltimore
..No.11, United
..No.12, Franklin
..No.13, Washington
..No.14, Patapsco
..No.15, Howard
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..In 1840, the "Watchman Fire Company" No.16 was organized, first in a stable on York St. near the Watchman & Butt’s foundry, then to a new station on Montgomery St. between Light St. and William St. (building still standing). This was the first company established under the B.U.F.D.
..In 1842, the "Lafayette Hose Company" No.17 was organized, with quarters first at Caroline and Silver St. and a year later to Caroline near Pitt St. and thirdly to a station at Caroline and Lexington St.
..In 1851, the "Monumental Hose Company" No.18 was organized with quarters on Bank Lane and Calvert St., and shortly thereafter to North St. and Orange Alley. This house would later become the home of Engine Co.4 of the paid department.
..Also, in 1851, the "Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company No.1" was organized with quarters on Harrison St. near Fayette St., and designated No.19 with the B.U.F.D. This was the first ladder company to be established in Baltimore City, and the station and truck would later become Hook & Ladder Co.1 of the paid department.
..In 1852, the "Western Hose Company" No.20 was organized, with quarters on W. Baltimore St., near Pearl St., and in 1857, to a new house on Greene St., between Baltimore and German St.
..In 1853, the "Mount Vernon Hook & Ladder Company No.2", designated No.21 with the B.U.F.D., was organized, with temporary quarters at the Western Hose Company house on Baltimore St. until their quarters were completed on Biddle St., near Druid Hill Ave. This house would later become the home of Hook & Ladder Co.4 of the paid department.
..A meeting held at the Seventeenth Ward House, March 8, 1856, led to the formation of the last fire company to be established under the volunteer system in Baltimore City. Organized as the "United States Hose Company" No.22, with quarters on Light St., near York St.
The Steam Era Arrives
..The first trial of a steam fire engine in Baltimore took place Thursday, February 2, 1855, when an engine of the “Latta” design was tested at Bowly’s Wharf. This engine was the “Miles Greenwood”, built in Cincinnati, bound for the City of Boston. The results of this test along with the use of steam fire engines elsewhere, demonstrated their practicability, and several of the volunteer companies in Baltimore began efforts in the early part of 1858 to acquire such engines.
..The first contract for a steam fire engine was placed with Reaney, Neafie & Co., of Philadelphia, PA., in March of 1858 by the First Baltimore Hose Company No.10, with the machine arriving in Baltimore May 18, 1858. This engine was named “Alpha” for the first letter of the Greek alphabet, being the first steam fire engine put in service in Baltimore. This engine would be acquired by the paid department and assigned to Engine Co.1.
..The second steam engine was delivered to the Washington Hose Company No.13 on September 20, 1858. This engine was built by Murray & Hazlehurst of Baltimore. The engine was christened “The Home” as a tribute to its local manufacture. This engine would be acquired by the paid department and assigned to Engine Co.2.
..The third steamer was delivered to the Vigilant Fire Company No.7 in October of 1858. Modeled on the plan of the “Alpha”, except of lesser weight, it was built by Reaney, Neafie & Co., Philadelphia, PA. and was named, “Comet”. This engine would be acquired by the paid department and assigned to Engine Co.3.
..The fourth, and last steam engine to be acquired by the volunteers of Baltimore was purchased by the Mechanical Fire Co. No.1. Built in Baltimore by “Poole & Hunt”, the machine could be drawn by 15 men and was named “Maryland”. It was delivered on February 12, 1859, just 3 days before being turned over to the new paid department and assigned to Engine Co.4. The City renamed the engine “John Cushing”, in honor of the first president of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
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The End Of The Volunteer System
..Lawlessness and riots flourished in Baltimore throughout the existence of the Baltimore United Fire Department. In addition to intense rivalries between fire companies, many were involved in election riots, with those of the 1850’s being the worst.
..Engine Houses were torched, and apparatus captured, with the latter being thrown into the harbor on several occasions. Pistols, bricks, axes, and picks were used in a desperate manner in street clashes between the volunteer fire companies, and between fire companies and political gangs, with many of the firemen being severely injured, and several mortally wounded. Gangs of youth, known as “Hanger-ons”, would attach themselves to their neighborhood fire company, and fall in with them, causing much turmoil in the streets, responding to and returning from alarms of fire.
..Perhaps the most immediate cause of the downfall of the B.U.F.D. was its lack of concentrated responsibility in an individual fire chief. As organized, it was too unwieldy to quickly and effectively enforce rules and regulations. Control was also hampered, as several of the companies would form alliances to sway votes, and block disciplinary action against certain companies and members.
..By 1858, it was evident that public interest would not admit to further postponement of the work of reform, and a commission was created to reorganize the fire department. Two reports were submitted; that of the majority suggested that the hostlers of each company, and engineers of steamers be paid, and all other members should still be volunteers. The minority report, signed by Mr. Henry Spilman alone, urged that every man should be compensated for his labor.
..An ordinance was prepared and passed favoring the majority report, but was vetoed by Mayor Swann, on the grounds that the demand was not for an admixture of a paid/volunteer system, but for a full paid department, equipped with modern steam machinery, under direct management and control of the municipal authorities.
..Thus, on December 10, 1858, the paid Baltimore City Fire Department was created, and on January 1, 1859, all houses, apparatus, horses, hose and tools of the volunteer service necessary for operation were purchased by the city. The volunteers continued to provide service until full control was taken by the new department on February 15, 1859, with the city paying all expenses incidental to that service.
Back to F.D. History
..To show that the city was not ungrateful for the good work done by the volunteers, the Mayor and City Council passed a resolution in 1859, expressing in the most lavish terms, the thankfulness of the community for the many heroic deeds and services rendered by the volunteer fire companies of Baltimore over the years.