As the fire chief I find myself in much the same situation as Benjamin Franklin was in the early 1700’s when he was trying to recruit citizens in his community to volunteer as fire fighters. After a visit to Boston, Benjamin Franklin noted how the citizens of his native city were far better prepared to fight fires than were the citizens of his adopted city, Philadelphia.  In 1733 Franklin wrote an article in the Pennsylvania Gazette to raise public awareness about the city’s dire need to improve fire-fighting techniques and how fires were being fought in Philadelphia.  He felt goodwill and amateur firefighters were not enough.  Franklin suggested a “ Club or Society of active Men belonging to each Fire Engine; whose Business is to attend all Fires with it whenever they happen.”  In 1735 Franklin wrote another  letter to the newspaper entitled Protection of Towns from Fire.  In it he gave his first fire safety tip: “ an Ounce of Prevention is worth a Pound of Cure,” giving advise to citizens on how they should take care when handling hot coals from their fireplaces.  He also urged in his letter that chimney sweeps should be licensed by the city and be held responsible for their work hence suggesting that this might have been the beginning of the first fire ordinance or fire code.   Then finally under Franklin’s goading, a group of thirty men came together to form the Union Fire Company on December 7, 1736.  As in days of old many fire departments in smaller towns and rural communities still rely on it’s citizens to serve as volunteer firefighters.  You too can be a part of the this unique history and long standing tradition.  The Beaufort Fire Department is actively seeking qualified individuals to join it’s volunteer ranks.  Firefighting  takes a special kind of person.  Someone having  a desire to help their community and fellow citizens.  Someone with courage and dedication, who isn't afraid of hard work, who is willing to accept the challenge of a difficult job, and who considers respect and appreciation reward enough.  If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering  please call or come by our office today.