2006
marked the 2000th Anniversary of the creation of the modern Fire Service
as we know it today. In the year 6 A.D., the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus formed the "Militia Vigilum", a Corps of public firefighters, to protect Rome from the ravages of fire.
They were professionally trained and equipped and were charged to protect the city and its inhabitants through both fire suppression and fire prevention activities.
The "Vigiles", as the firefighters were called, became one of the most honored organizations in the Roman Empire and they protected the city for over 400 years.
The organization was comprised of 7000 men divided into 7 Cohortes of 1000 men each. The "Chief of Department" was a Prefect who answered directly to the Emperor. In countries where Roman law still prevails, such as in Italy and France, the figure of the Prefect still exists. He is the representative and the authority of the Central Government on the local level and answers directly to the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Today, as it was 2000 years ago, the Chief of the Italian National Fire Department is a Prefect.
The "Vigiles" were equipped with buckets, axes, ladders, wagons that carried large wooden cisterns of water, leather hose and "siphones", which resembled huge hypodermic needles and was operated by two men. The "siphones" would siphon water from a wooden container or drum by pulling up the piston, aim the implement at the fire and then push the piston which would squirt the water that had been drawn into its barrel.
The "Vigiles" would patrol the city at night to sound the alarm and respond to extinguish a fire. During the day they would inspect the markets and shops to ascertain that all utilizing open flame did so correctly or face the punishment of a fine or closure.
The "Vigiles" were also responsible for safety at large public gatherings. While Gladiators fought each other in the Colosseum, the "Vigiles" performed what firefighters today would call "Theater Detail" to guarantee safety and easy egress in case of fire.
Fire and building codes were also developed and certain streets had to be of a wider dimension than the narrow alleys that are still evident in Rome today. These avenues served as fire breaks to divide the neighborhoods to prevent conflagration.
So, we can see that the paramilitary, highly trained Fire Rescue Service as we know it today is a direct result of the formation of that elite "Brigade" in 6 A.D.