At 9:46 PM +0000 10/2/09, Stefano Mori wrote:
>On 2009-Feb-10, at 20:18, Roger Howard wrote:
>
>> Yet, again, it's first a question of morality and human rights -
>> does everyone deserve guaranteed basic services or not?
>
>
>
>"Following a public outcry during the aftermath of probably the most
>famous fire ever, a property developer named Nicholas Barbon
>introduced the first kind of insurance against fire. Soon after the
>formation of this insurance company, and in a bid to help reduce the
>cost and number of claims, he formed his own Fire Brigade. Other
>similar companies soon followed his lead and this was how property was
>protected until the early 1800s. Policy holders were given a badge, or
>fire mark, to affix to their building. If a fire started, the Fire
>Brigade was called. They looked for the fire mark and, provided it was
>the right one, the fire would be dealt with. Often the buildings were
>left to burn until the right company attended!"
>
>http://www.fireservice.co.uk/history/
>
>Maybe it's comparing apples and oranges, but who here today would
>accept that the fire brigade won't save your home unless you are a
>paid up member?
According to the book Gangs of New York, rival fire
companies, associated with different gangs, would first capture fire
hydrants and defend them against other fire companies until their own
engine arrived to use it. Also, rival fire companies were closely
associated with political factions - Boss Tweed was one, for example.
Cheers
David
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