>>>Firefighters watch as home burns to the ground. Has the American welfare sunk so low?
>>>http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html
>>
>>Interestingly that's how fire services originated in England - people subscribed to a fire service and only had their home extinguished if they were thus insured.
>
>That's how they started here, too. Benjamin Franklin created the first such fire company on this continent in Philadelphia.
>
>Presumably, eventually, people realized that it was better for everyone to have fire service, since one home burning was likely to have an impact on others.
>
>Tamar

2nd, not 1st, correct:

On January 27, 1678 the first fire engine company went into service with its captain (foreman) Thomas Atkins.[1] In 1736 Benjamin Franklin established the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_firefighting#United_States


and:

A large fire in Boston in 1679 led to the organization of the first paid fire department in America. The city imported a fire engine from England and employed a chief and twelve firefighters. The first volunteer Fire Company was formed in Philadelphia, PA in 1736. Benjamin Franklin served as America’s First volunteer Fire Chief.

http://durham.nh.us/departments/fire_dept/trivia.html

maybe you meant the first volunteer fire department with a chief?

First Volunteer Fire Company in America (1736)
In 1736 in Philadelphia, PA, Benjamin Franklin formed the first volunteer fire company, called the Union Fire Company. Franklin served on it as America's first volunteer fire chief.

First Paid Fire Department in America (1678)
A large fire in Boston in 1679, led to the organization of the first paid fire department in North America, if not the world. Boston selectman imported a fire engine from England and employed a fire chief, Thomas Atkins, and 12 fire fighters to operate it.

http://www.concordma.gov/pages/concordma_fire/faqs

http://www.cityofboston.gov/fire/about/history.asp