New York County

In 1613, the first Dutch settlers would land in New Amsterdam where the colony would be harassed by many fires. Starting in 1648, fire wardens were appointed to inspect chimneys and fine the owners of those posed a fire hazard. Some time later, Prowlers were organized to patrol the streets at night and look for fires carrying hooks, ladders and buckets. They became known as the Bucket Brigades by 1658, but the service ended when the English took over in 1664. For 67 years the city went without fire protection, until the New York Volunteer Fire Brigade was established, serving until 1736 when the General Assembly passed an act forming the Volunteer Fire Department of the City of New York. They in turn served until 1776 when America gained independence from England. The city was again without fire protected until the VFDNY was reformed in 1784. Eventually in 1865, the state ceased control of the city, after the issues with the companies fighting became too great. Volunteer Companies were slowly replaced until November of that year when it formed the paid Metropolitan Fire Department. It remained in service until 1870 when the department again became city-controlled and on May 21, 1870, the Fire Department of the City of New York was formed. The City of New York merged with the other boroughs in 1898 and slowly grew to its present size.