On 21st September 2000, the Society made a visit to the Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade Museum in Edinburgh. We were able to see the vast collection of appliances, equipment, memorabilia and toy fire engines.
Prior to 1824, the fire coverage in the UK was controlled by several insurance companies, which would only fight fires if the building showed the company's plaque on the wall. If the company that arrived at the scene the building did not insure the building it would be left to burn until the correct company arrived.
However after the Great Fire of Ediburgh in 1824 the first Municipal Fire Brigade in the world was formed under James Braidwood, "Master of Engines". At this time the appliances were pushed by hand and members of the public formed a bucket chain to fill the pump with water. They would then work the handles of the pump to allow the blaze to be tackled. For their labour these good citizens would be given a token that they could exchange at the local police station for a shilling.
These appliances were replaced by horse drawn versions, and the museum, a former Victorian Fire House, has stabling to the rear. In turn steam appliances were introduces and by 1910 motorised appliances were used in Edinburgh. The museum has a number of these appliances, from the pre-war years to the 1950s. During the Second World War men from Edinburgh had been part of the Fire Brigade Expeditionary Force that had followed the troops after the Normandy landing to tackle the fires in the liberated cities. This was a very informative and educational visit, many questions were asked and one member had the opportunity to wear a state of the art fire helmet.