10/25/2026
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was the founder of America's first/earliest volunteer fire company? Its true.
In 1736, Benjamin Franklin helped organize the earliest volunteer fire company known as the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia. They were known as the "Bucket Brigade" because it brought community members together to protect their neighbors from devastating fires.
They were called the "Bucket Brigade" because well before motorized equipment was available to assist them in their job, the firefighters relied on strong leather buckets, ladders, hooks, and the manpower of volunteers. Each member responded with respective equipment to help extinguish the fire and salvage belongings.
Benjamin Franklin helped establish the long standing tradition of organized volunteer firefighting that would influence the development of fire protection throughout America. Almost 300 years later, that sense of helping your neighbor, dedication to the community, and the brotherhood from which bonds are unbreakable, this feeling remains a core value and central to fire service today.
The patch got to visit Philadelphia and see so much of the history related in this story.
It is obvious that is a common theme amongst Montanans to this day because 84% of fire departments in the state are volunteer. We salute all of the volunteers not only in Montana, but throughout the United States for their unwavering deciation and commitment to keeping our communities safe.
Stay safe Gateway.
