Volunteer Continued:

In 1818, women began serving as volunteer firefighters. The first recorded female volunteer was Molly Williams, a black slave who belonged to a New York merchant. Molly proved to be a very distinguished volunteer of Engine No. 11. She used to be called “Volunteer No. 11’. Molly fought fires wearing a calico dress and checkered apron. During a blizzard in 1818, she helped drag the engine to the scene of a fire.

Before 1850 no city in the United States had all paid full-time firefighters. Volunteer firefighters played and continue to play an invaluable role in protecting lives and property.

In 2005, volunteer firefighters accounted for 74 percent of the total number of firefighting personnel In the United States. Of a national total of 1,136,650 firefighters, 313,300 were career firefighters, 823,350 were volunteer. However, the number of volunteers has since been declining. This is attributed to the type and location of the paid work that we do, the availability of time to volunteer with our lives being more complex than what they once were, the need for a husband and wife both having to work to support the family, and a general sense of less caring.

This year, the members of the Fort Washington Fire Company are celebrating the Fire Company’s 100th year of service. We are very proud of the fact that we have always been and still remain 100% volunteer. However, there is always the need for additional people to help. If you are interested in assisting the Fort Washington Fire Company in a volunteer capacity as a firefighter, as a fire police officer, as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, or helping in an administrative capacity, please stop by either station (Summit Avenue or Twining & Susquehanna Roads) on Monday evenings; or call 215.646.2555. There is a lot of work to be done; and it is very rewarding.