New Amsterdam Fire Wardens

== History ==
The present day FDNY's origins can be traced back to 1648 in what was then the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam. At this time the first fire ordinance was established, then Peter Stuvyesant arrived. Within one year of his arrival he appointed four fire wardens to go around to wooden chimneys of thatched-roofed houses and charge a penalty to the owners of the chimneys that were improperly swept. There were four fire wardens: Martin Krieger, Thomas Hall, Adrian Wyser, and George Woolsey. They had no fire stations and hooks, ladders, and buckets were financed through fines from the dirty chimneys. A fire watch was then established consisting of fire wardens drawn from the male population. They were known as the prowlers and given the nickname the rattle watch on the streets. They would patrol the streets with buckets, ladders, and hooks from 9 PM to 6 AM looking for fires. Local Dutch shoemakers made 250 boots in 1658 for the bucket brigades. They would serve New York until 1664 when the English took over the colony. In 1731 the New York Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed.
Category:Defunct fire departments of New York County