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The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was formed in 1836 for the purposes of preserving life from fire by providing fire escapes and attendants at around seventy London locations. In 1865 the Society, including its equipment and staff, was incorporated into the fire brigade run by the Metropolitan Board of Works, which became the precursor to the modern London Fire Brigade. The Society has continued to exist and now recognises people who perform acts of bravery in rescuing others from the life-threatening effects of fires in the United Kingdom.〔(The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire )〕 ==History== The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was formed in 1836, it received Royal patronage in 1837 but lost it again in 1901 when King Edward VII declined to renew it after the death of Queen Victoria. In its 1837 annual report, the Society stated its purpose as “the preservation of Life from Fire, by organising a body of men who shall be provided with… public fire escapes… and also by exciting Fireman, Policemen and others to a prompt attention to the scene of danger – by holding out rewards, as the merit of the case may deserve”.〔Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, ''First Annual Report of the Society'' (1837)〕 Its main work at this time was the provision and maintenance of fire escapes at around seventy central London locations. This extract from ''Cruchley's London in 1865: A Handbook for Strangers''〔(''Cruchley's London in 1865:A Handbook for Strangers'' )〕 provides an excellent outline of the work being undertaken by the Society: The Society maintains, in different parts of the Metropolis, 73 fire-escape stations, usually at distances of about half a mile from each other. At each station there is a fire-escape, attended throughout the night by a conductor well instructed in its use, and provided with all necessary implements. From 1843 to March 31, 1861, the Society's fire-escapes have attended no less than 5211 fires, and rescued 670 lives. The fire-escape in use is Abraham Wivell's; its height varies from 43 ft. to 45 ft., and by means of a supplemental ladder even 60 feet can, if necessary, be obtained. Each machine weighs 8½ cwt., and costs 60l. In 1865 the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Act placed the responsibility of providing an efficient fire brigade onto the Metropolitan Board of Works and the equipment and staff of the Society were absorbed into the new organisation. Consequently, by 1908 the remit of the Society had changed, and was now stated as, “promoting the Protection of Life from Fire, by the grant of rewards for saving life from fire, to persons who shall have distinguished themselves or received injury while engaged in the rescue of life from fire”.〔Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, ''Annual Report of the Society'' (1908)〕 This specific definition of its work, with an emphasis on the risk to life or exertions of the rescuer rather than just the attempt to save life, places the organisation into the realms of recognising heroism, rather than simply promoting or endorsing lifesaving. This sentiment was originally suggested by one of the five “specific objects” of the Society which was, “to bestow rewards, at the discretion of the Society, on such persons as shall at any time distinguish themselves by their endeavours to save human life in case of fire”.〔Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, ''First Annual Report of the Society'' (1837)〕 These awards included certificates, watches, monetary awards and in particularly meritorious cases, a medal. The medal, which was awarded in silver and bronze, contained a design of oak branches encircled by the words “duty and honour” and “the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire” on the obverse and a representation of a group of figures undertaking a rescue from a fire on the reverse. An indication of the quantity, scope and reach of the Society’s awards can be ascertained by looking in depth at particular periods. For example, between 1908 and 1914, the Society recognised 547 individuals with awards including eighty-one bronze medals, forty-six silver medals, eighteen silver watches and 293 certificates.〔John Price, ''Everyday Heroism: Victorian Constructions of the Heroic Civilian'' (Bloomsbury: London, 2014) ISBN 978-1-4411066-5-0, p.135〕 It is interesting to note that the Society made awards to women far more often than any other comparable organisation recognising heroic acts. This may have been because fires often took place in domestic settings where women were more present or because of the flammable nature of women’s clothing.〔John Price, ''Everyday Heroism: Victorian Constructions of the Heroic Civilian'' (Bloomsbury: London, 2014) ISBN 978-1-4411066-5-0, pp.142-43〕 In addition to lifesaving, awards were also presented in relation to the design or construction of new fire escape equipment and to individuals who were the first to bring existing equipment to the scene of a fire. However, it was the awards for directly saving life, and at personal risk, which were most admired. At one 1837 presentation ceremony, for the bestowal of silver medals for “praiseworthy conduct”, it was noted that, “presenting the medals to the persons to whom they were awarded, produced a gratifying and interesting sensation on the minds of the assembly, which was very numerous; and those who received them… returned thanks, appearing to value them as an inestimable treasure”.〔Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, ''First Annual Report of the Society'' (1837)〕 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「Society for the Protection of Life from Fire」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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