Braidwood
did not believe fires should be fought from the street. His
men were trained to enter a building at all costs and remain
there until the fire was extinguished or they were ordered
to withdraw. This still remains a quality of the modern firefighter.
His men soon gained a reputation for skill and daring and
achieved a level of professionalism not previously thought
possible. Casualties were frequent but fatalities were
rare. James Braidwood had laid down a major principal still
followed by today’s modern Fire
Services that no one should enter a building alone. In effect,
if any firefighter was injured or overcome by heat or smoke
there would always be a comrade alongside to take him to
safety.
In 1830, Braidwood published his first book on firefighting;
this was to increase his reputation even further. This pattern
of success did not go un-noticed. In London, where it was
decided to copy Edinburgh, it was agreed to offer James Braidwood
the position of Chief Fire Officer of the London Fire Engine
Establishment. He agreed and took up his new post on January
1st 1833.
He was
to adapt his previous methods. His firefighters were now ‘full time’ and
he changed his mind about recruitment. Now he favoured
firefighters who were previously sailors stating that:
“Seaman
are to be preferred as they are taught to obey orders and
are used to keeping day and night watches.”
The
wages were 24s 6d a week (Approximately £1.22p),
a very high wage for that period and he had no lack of recruits.
With the creation of the London Fire Engine Establishment
and the recruitment of sailors thereby began the naval tradition
that has persisted in the Fire Service to the present day.
Large fires were to continue, but the new force would impress
everybody with its efficiency and courage.
In 1861, a large fire occurred in a warehouse alongside
the River Thames. Firefighters and equipment were working
so close to the fire that faces and hands were being scorched.
Chief Fire Officer James Braidwood was everywhere, encouraging
his firefighters and talking to them at every opportunity.
Unfortunately, a wall collapsed burying him in hot bricks
and stone. It was to be three days before his body could
be recovered.
After
37 years of firefighting, James Braidwood had sown the
seeds of development for all future Fire Brigades and Fire
Officers. His personal qualities and his technical and
physical competence ensured that he would be remembered
as one of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of
the modern Fire Service.
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