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== Early History == The Belfast Fire Brigade came into existence in 1800. It developed to become an essential local service, providing an effective firefighting service to the people of Belfast city until its amalgamation with the Northern Ireland Fire Authority on 1 October 1973, thus becoming the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland. This article will contain a brief history of the Belfast Fire Brigade from its commencement to amalgamation. The original settlement, which was later to become Belfast was situated about a ford which crossed the River Lagan, dating back to the seventh century. In 1306, mention is made of a chapel on a ford, where the current day St. Georges Church of Ireland is situated. At this time in history church bells would have been employed to raise the alert to the town’s folk of impending danger and as such they may have been the first mechanical means of mobilising people to extinguish an outbreak of fire in the area. In subsequent years, little development took place in the use of firefighting equipment and procedures, other than the use of basic hand tools and ladders, along with the use of leather buckets, which were used to transport water from open water supplies, to the scene of fire. On Sunday, 25 April 1708, a fire broke out in Belfast Castle, which led to the loss of life of five young women, along with the complete destruction of the castle. The limited capability of firefighting equipment used in the attempt to extinguish the fire was a major contributing factor according to the first account of the Fire Brigade in Belfast circa 1740, as recorded in 'A history of the town of Belfast' page 609 "Twelve or more round holes covered with flags be made in Front Street(High Street) at different parts of the arch which covers the river; that six movable barrel pumps be made; that six decent men be taught to work, take asunder, and put them together at a salary of 30 shillings a year each, and a crown every time they attend a real fire.... This was the Fire Brigade of more than 90 years ago." With the introduction in 1800 of the Belfast police act, a requirement was made of the Belfast Corporation to provide a fire service. "They immediately set aside £143.8.2 for the purchase of a new fire engine from Tilley and company of Blackfriars Road in London." During the early to mid 1800s several attempts were made by the Belfast Corporation to approach insurance companies for financial assistance in the support of the Belfast Fire Brigade, but very limited investment was made. Such financial support was commonplace throughout larger towns and cities in England and Scotland. In 1840 purchase was made of the first steam power fire engine in Belfast. Merryweather, the fire engine manufacturer supplied a subsequent fire engine the following year; this greatly reduced the time taken for the Fire Brigade to attend any given fire incident and also increase the area over which the Fire Brigade could attend when called upon. From 1860-1861 the Belfast Fire Brigade was under the leadership of Eyre Massey Shaw, who, during his short period as superintendent, produced reports in relation to several major fires within Belfast, focusing on the inadequacies of the water mains in the city. In 1861 Massey Shaw took up the role of superintendent of the London Fire Engine Establishment and subsequently became the first chief officer of the London Fire Brigade. After Massey Shaw's departure in 1861, a decision was made to separate the Police and Fire Brigade from being a joint organisation, with George Reilly being established as its first superintendent, serving in this position until 1891. In 1892, after the retirement of superintendent Reilly, the Belfast Corporation sought to fulfil a long planned restructuring of the brigade which saw a move from a semi-professional to a fully professional Fire Brigade. Under the leadership of Superintendent George Parker, who formerly held the position of Chief Fire Officer in Bootle, Liverpool, he sought to introduce new items of protective uniform and equipment. Other major changes which occurred at this time included the phasing out of auxiliary firemen, alterations to working rotas and leave entitlements, along with reviewed rates of pay. In May 1894 the new Belfast Fire Brigade headquarters and fire station in Chichester Street opened. The premises incorporated; fire station, headquarters offices, dwelling houses to provide accommodation for firemen and their families, accommodation for single firemen, and a paved drill yard and 130 foot tall drill tower. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「History of the Belfast Fire Brigade」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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