Fdny - the Greatest Job in the World

History of the FDNY

The New York City Fire Department is known as "The Greatest Job in the World". People all over New York and the rest of the country are captivated by the idea of a NYC fire fighter. They represent New York's bravest, receiving overwhelming respect, and celebrity like praise. The department is full of rich history, and ties in with the creation of New York City itself. Its inception dates back to even before there was a New York City as we know it today, giving it a timeline that is brimming with tradition and folklore. Tradition is mainly what this department is about. Everything that is done today, was done so in the past, and transferred by word of mouth to future generations of fire fighting, in the hopes that they too will pass on invaluable information to protect New York City and the people living within it.

Organized fire fighting dates back as far as the mid 1600's. Fire watches were established between citizens, allowing bucket brigades to help protect from fire. It wasn't until the later 1700's that the first volunteer fire ordinance was established. This set up volunteer firehouses throughout the city, with the Brooklyn Fire Department being the most widely known. After the revolutionary war, the departments were reorganized and then incorporated into a specific unity, known as the Fire Department of the city of New York. These volunteer fire companies protected New York until about 1865, when the paid Metropolitan Fire Department began to replace them. This began to unify the city throughout the late 1800's and, as the city allowed new counties like Richmond to enter the city, created a larger and stronger Fire Department. Further consolidation occurred up until 1898, on New Years day, when the department created history with the full consolidation of all the cities fire forces into one massive unit, the FDNY.

Today, many symbols still remain true from the very early days of this department's creation. The Maltese cross is one such symbol. The heroic efforts of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John, fought against the weapon of fire. These knights inhabited the island Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese cross. This cross is a symbol of protection. It identifies the idea that any fireman is willing to lay down his life for this city and its citizens. The Maltese cross is a fireman's badge of honor,