President Firefighter?
Many of our founding fathers were volunteer firefighters. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Samuel Adams and more were all volunteer firefighters. They took great pride and honor in their civic duty serving their community and many served as Fire Wardens as well. Upon hearing he was made an honorary member of Friendship Fire Company in Alexandria, Virginia, George Washington bought the company a fire pumper and had it delivered to this fire company in his old hometown.
This graphic depicts a young George Washington pulling a wooden fire pumper. Later, as President, Washington often took the time to visit local fire companies; inquiring about developments in apparatus and talking with the firemen.
