This shield-shaped metal fire badge has a scrolling floral border and is decorated by a variety of scrolls. A hand-pumped fire engine decorates the center of the badge. The upper banner reads “EXEMPT” the lower banner reads “FIREMEN’S ASS’N.” and the bottom banner reads “PATERSON, N.J.” In Paterson, New Jersey, a law was passed in 1830 that exempted members of the Volunteer Fire Association from militia and jury duty after serving seven years as firemen. The Exempt Firemen’s Association of Patterson, New Jersey was established for the exempt firemen of Paterson in 1882. The Association served as social one to foster camaraderie among former volunteer firemen after the paid fire department came to Paterson in 1890. The association had a building with a parlor, smoking and sitting room, kitchen and dining room, games room, bath room, and reading room.
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.
This shield–shaped metal fire badge belonged to an exempt member of the Newark Fire Department with badge number 272. The badge has a stippled background, with raised upper and lower banners that read “NEWARK/EXEMPT” in black enamel. A fire hydrant (or “plug”) is at the bottom of the badge, while two curled hoses emanate from either side of the hydrant and frame the badge’s text. After serving for seven years, members of Newark’s volunteer fire department were exempt from five dollars of tax each year, exempt from jury duty, and exempt from serving in a militia during a time of peace. An association for these exempt firemen was established in Newark on December 17, 1857 for the purpose of aiding disabled members and their families and to render assistance in combating fires as directed by the civic authorities.
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.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to an exempt member of the fire department of Passaic, New Jersey. Exempt firemen served five years or more in the volunteer company, granting them exemptions from certain other civic responsibilities. These “exempts” often created associations which mainly served as social clubs, although some exempt fire fighters continued to serve as fire departments if needed. This badge likely dates to the late 19th century. The top of the badge is decorated with a crossed trumpet and hose nozzle behind a fire helmet. The banners are inscribed with the text “PASSAIC/EXEMPT/FIRE DEPARTMENT.” A laurel wreath surrounds the word “EXEMPT.” This badge is very similar to object 2005.0233.1345, an exempt badge from Kingston.
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.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to the Volunteer Firemens Association of New York City. The badge has a central decoration of a fire helmet with trumpet, hook, ladder, lamp, and axe arrayed in a circular pattern behind it. A spread-winged eagle is at the top of the shield, and a plaque at the bottom is inscribed with the number “500.” The Volunteer Firemens Association of New York City was founded on December 22, 1883. The Association welcomed all volunteer firemen who left their companies in good standing as members and provided a social space for them to meet as well as a burial fund to pay for their internment after passing. Other associations for volunteer firefighters—including the Exempt Firemens Association of New York—required five years of service in a volunteer company before joining.
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.
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.
This circular metal fire badge was used by a member of the reorganized Philadelphia Fire Department between 1868 and 1871. A number of municipalities in the county of Philadelphia were consolidated into the City of Philadelphia in the mid-1900s and, in response, the city reorganized its fire department from 1855. The Philadelphia Fire Department was under control of the Committee on Trusts, the Select Council and representatives from the fire service. The Fire Department was still made up of volunteers, with only the Chief Engineer and Assistant Engineers paid by the city.
In 1868, an ordinance was passed to establish this badge for firefighters to wear when not in the uniform of their company. This badge, #95, was issued to James McGough of the Perseverance Hose Company No. 5 on June 1868. The badge has a stippled background and a rim representing a hose. The badge reads “PHILADa’ FIRE/DEPARTMENT” in raised lettering with the silver-colored half inch number “95” in the center.
