It started here

Our origin story: It started here

Scotland is home to a Series of Firsts in firefighting history and many notable events. Take a scroll through our timeline to read about some of our highlights, and find out how the first Municipal Fire Service – in the world, started here- in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Our Journey Begins…

Sketch of James Braidwood © Museum of Scottish Heritage 2022

James Braidwood, Edinburgh’s first Fire Master

Did you know the world’s first public and local authority funded Fire Service was established in the city of Edinburgh in 1824?

James Braidwood was the City’s first Fire Master and he developed lots of new and innovative techniques to improve firefighting at the time. Braidwood was responsible for the first PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) given to firefighters in Edinburgh (a helmet with protection for the back of the neck) and ensured firefighters maintained a strict fitness regime to stay in tip top shape! Learn all about his life as Edinburgh’s first Fire Master and his lasting impact on firefighting procedures and culture.

Image in black and white showing two young boys, one perched on top of the back of the other reaching up to touch a street fire alarm, dated 1878.
1878 Glasgow is first city in UK to install street fire alarms.
Black and white image of an early motorised fire engine parked outside of a fire station. Firefighters ae sitting on top of the vehicle.
1906 The first motorised fire engine in Scotland is purchased by Aberdeen Fire Brigade.
Black and white image of a newspaper article describing how the first fire engine with a roof was to be commissioned for Edinburgh in 1931. The article also shows an image of the vehicle style, a Dennis Limousine. A model of this type of vehicle in on display in the museum.
1931 The first enclosed limousine pump was commissioned for Edinburgh.
Colour image showing a female firefighter in full fire gear spray water from a hose out of shot. Behind her is a modern day SFRS Fire appliance and a male firefighter stands in the background at the vehicles water pump controls.
2022 On Call Firefighter Coryn Jones

216

age of our oldest fire appliance

25

years is the average lifespan of a fire hose

207

Home appliance fires in 2021

1567

vehicles in the SFRS Fleet

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