But did you know that Ben Franklin was also a volunteer firefighter?  In 1735, he and several other citizens formed the first organized volunteer fire company in Philadelphia.  The Union Volunteer Fire Company of Philadelphia was modeled on a similar fire company he had seen on a recent visit to Boston.  This fire company became a model for others throughout the city ands later throughout the country.  In 1736, Ben, along with other  local businessmen,  started America’s first successful fire insurance company.  It paid the people who belonged to the association for their fire losses.

In addition to these fire service related interests, Ben Franklin also was interested in the science of fire. He studied the behavior of fire and how heat was conducted in a variety of materials .  He later invented the Franklin stove.  It was a safer and better way to heat the home than the fire places that were in use at the time.  In fact you can still buy Franklin Stoves today.