The history of organized combatting of structural fires dates back at least to ancient Egypt where hand-operated pumps may have been employed to extinguish fires. However, such attempts could be of limited value given the large structural conflagrations that could sweep through Rome and other cities. The Roman fire brigade (Vigiles) was formed in AD 6 by Augustus to combat fires using bucket brigades and pumps, as well as poles, hooks and even ballistae to tear down buildings in advance of the flames. It is generally thought that this is where the "hook" in "hook and ladder company" comes from. The Vigiles patrolled the streets of Rome to watch for fires and served as the police force.

Rome suffered a number of serious fires, most notably the fire that started near the Circus Maximus on 19 July AD 64 and eventually destroyed two thirds of Rome. The Emperor Nero was blamed for the conflagration, and may in fact have allowed the fire to burn. At least one Roman may have become very rich from this fire, buying properties in advance of the flames and using teams of slaves in attempts to defend his recent acquisitions from being consumed.

Another great city that experienced such a need for organized fire control was London, which suffered great fires in 798, 982 and 989. Little is known about the development of firefighting in Europe until after the Great Fire of London in 1666. It started in a baker's shop on Pudding Lane, consumed about two square miles (5 km²) of the city, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Prior to this fire, London had no organized fire protection system. Afterwards, insurance companies formed private fire brigades to protect their clients’ property. Insurance brigades would only fight fires at buildings the company insured. These buildings were identified by a badge or sign. Still, it was not until 1672 that the Dutch inventor Jan Van der Heiden invented the firehose. Constructed of flexible leather and coupled every 50 feet (15 m) with brass fittings, the length and connections remain the standard to this day.

Meanwhile, in America, Jamestown, Virginia had been virtually destroyed in a fire in January, 1608. Fire "wardens" were appointed in New Amsterdam in 1648. Wardens were to patrol the cities to inspect chimneys. "Rattle Watches" were performed at night by eight appointees, who were to rouse citizens to fight fires by bucket brigade if necessary. In Boston, serious fires in 1653 and 1676 had inspired the city to take greater measures towards combatting fire.

The fire engine was developed by Richard Newsham of London in 1725. Pulled as a cart to the fire, these manual pumps were manned by teams of men and could deliver up to 160 gallons per minute (12 L/s) at up to 120 feet (40 m).

Benjamin Franklin created the Union Fire Company in 1736 in Philadelphia, the first volunteer fire company in America. There were no full-time paid firefighters in America until 1850. Even after the formation of paid fire companies in the United States, there were disagreements and often fights over territory. New York City companies were famous for sending runners out to fires with a large barrel to cover the hydrant closest to the fire in advance of the engines. Often fights would break out between the runners and even the responding fire companies for the right to fight the fire and receive the insurance money that would be paid to the company that fought it.

Napoleon Bonaparte is generally attributed as creating the first "professional" firefighters, known as Sapeurs-Pompiers, from the French Army. Created under the Commandant of Engineers in 1810, the company was organized after a fire at the ballroom in the Austrian Embassy in Paris which injured several dignitaries.

In the UK, organized firefighting arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, when the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment was formed in 1824, led by James Braidwood. London followed in 1832 with the London Fire Engine Establishment.

The first horse-drawn steam engine for fighting fires was invented in 1829, but not accepted in structural firefighting until 1860, and ignored for another two years afterwards. Internal combustion engine fire engines arrived in 1907, built in the United States, leading to the decline and disappearance of steam engines by 1925.

Today, fire and rescue remains a patchwork of paid and volunteer responders. Typically, fire services in rural areas consist of volunteers while full-time organizations dominate cities and urban areas, although there are exceptions.

     The Saint Florian Legend - or Fire Fighting Roman StyleFire in Ancient Rome was an ever present danger. Caesar Augustus in the year 6 expanded the firefighting units, and subsequent emperors did the same. Even so, one of the worst fires in Rome's history happened during Nero's reign, in the year 62.
The slave brigades had no interest in risking their lives to save the homes of their masters. They were a less than effective force. Precautions against fire were enforced: Each householder in Rome was required to have the basics in firefighting equipment.

      Much later, circa 205 in Rome, there were groups, or cohorts, of men called the Vigiles: They were the night watchman who patrolled the streets in the wee hours. They were the law and order, arresting drunks and burglars, on the look out for runaway slaves, and especially: watching for unsupervised fires. These official Roman firefighters belonged to the Equestrian class. Each unit had its own doctor and medical staff, complete with chaplain.

      Roman firefighters were equipped with the most recent technology: a hand-operated piston water pump. It delivered water to a fire as fast as the brigade could relay the buckets. No hoses, they fought fire by passing water hand to hand in bucket chains. In Florian's time, around 250, firefighters were a critical part of the Roman military. More than 7000 highly trained and paid men, distinctive from the ordinary Roman soldier with a green tunic or skirt.

     When Florian enlisted in the Roman Army, around 268, the Soldier Emperors of Rome were in the process of reforming the military. Emperor Gallienus was determined to make the army a quick and efficient mounted fighting force, ready to dispatch at a moments notice to the troubled border regions. Florian advanced quickly through the ranks. He was officer material.His superiors said he was good with people, a real problem-solver, and a dedicated hard-worker. Firefighting was now done by special forces whose sole responsibility was fighting fire. Florian, now a Captain, was assigned to lead one of these elite fire brigades.
Florian's unit was so successful that Florian shot through the ranks to General. Generals were often assigned to govern remote regions of the Empire. General Florian was assigned chief administrator of such a region: Noricum, in the Austrian/ Bavarian region of his birth. Florian had the power to enforce the law and collect taxes.

     For years, since Emperor Decius, the Roman Empire had persecuted Christians. Roman law of the land was to abolish Christianity. Decius wanted to revitalize the worship of the original Roman gods and goddesses, the worship of spirits which lived in rocks and trees. The Roman gods, like Janus, Guardian of the door, and Vesta, goddess of fire, were old roman standbys. Those who would not renounce their Christian faith were burned at the stake, crucified, or otherwise tortured to death.

     By 284, Florian had become a Christian. Rome became suspicious when rumors floated back from Noricum that Florian was not enforcing it's anti-Christian laws. When superiors, like Aquilinus, on direct orders from Emperor Diocletian, told Florian to burn the Christian churches, and their books, and to force Christians out of their jobs and throw them in prison, Florian was torn between duty and faith.

     In 304, Florian refused direct orders to execute Christians. Aquilinus and the Emperor Diocletian feared Florian would lead a Christian rebellion. Thousands of Christians were rounded up, and their homes torched. Florian wrote his famous Acts, and then turned himself in at Lorch, to Aquilinus, and the Roman army.
Aquilinus ordered Florian to make sacrifices to the Roman pagan gods. Florian refused, and professed his Christian faith.The Roman soldiers beat Florian with clubs and spikes, he was flayed, and then thrown into the fire. Florian challenged the Roman soldiers to build his pyre high, so the fire and smoke would take his soul to directly heaven.
Aquilinus, fearing the consequences of such an outcome, Florian might become a martyr for Christians, commanded the Roman soldiers to tie a millstone around Florian's neck, and then he was thrown into the River Enns, not far from where it enters the Danube.
And there Florian drowned, in an icy blue river, his flesh torn and burned, not far from Vienna. His body laid there for a while, guarded over by an eagle, until a local peasant woman, Valeria, found him. Florian was given a Christian burial at Lenz.
Since then, many legends, many credible, have grown up around Florian. Even during his life time there were reports of miracles performed by him. So, Florian has become the protector of those who fight the peril of fire with water. Ironically, only a hundred years later Christianity was declared the official religion of the Holy Roman Empire, and all heathen cults were banned.
Pray to Florian not only for protection from fire and flood, but for a good harvest and success in all struggles. He's the Patron of Brewers, that's for the pitcher of water he threw on a village to save it, and for Soap Makers.Feast Day ~ May 4, born 250 AD, died 304 ADSaint Florian is, understandably, a major Patron Saint of Austria and Poland. He's also the patron of fire service people in Austria.