Fire Badge "Elizabeth Exempt"
Fire Badge "Elizabeth Exempt"
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to an exempt member of the fire department from Elizabeth, New Jersey. The badge is decorated with a central image of a fire helmet, with a lantern, trumpet, and axe arrayed behind it. At the top of the badge is a circular plaque with number “214” inside it. An upper banner reads “ELIZABETH” with the initials “F.D.” below. The lower banner reads “EXEMPT.” Exempt firemen were firemen who had served a set number of years in the volunteer department and were now excluded from jury duty or militia service. Later, exempt firemen created their own social associations to foster camaraderie and “continue the fraternal associations” established as volunteer firemen.
- Metal firefighter’s badges were a part of the firefighter’s uniform since volunteer companies began to proliferate in the early 19th century. As volunteer companies gave way to municipal fire departments during the mid–19th century, these badges became mandated by uniform codes. Badges served as official identification at fire scenes, as access to derelict buildings by unscrupulous citizens could result in looting. Fire badges came in a variety of shapes, most notably circular, shield–shaped, or the Maltese cross. While shield–shaped badges were often worn on the chest, circular and cross-shaped badges can be seen on jacket lapels or soft caps. Badges usually detailed the company’s name, number and department, and were often decorated with various symbols of the profession such as hose carriages, hand–pumped engines, hoses, trumpets, helmets, hooks, and ladders. For paid municipal companies, many badges also featured the badge number of the wearer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- badge, fireman's
- fire badge
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States
- associated place
- United States: New Jersey, Elizabeth
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 1/2 in x 1 7/8 in; 3.81 cm x 4.7625 cm
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1274
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1274
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Work
- Firefighting Collection
- Fire Badges
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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