Horse-Radish

On December 16, 1737, the New York General Assembly created an organization that became more famous and colorful than any other American firefighting organization.

The Act established the Volunteer Fire Department of New York was signed into law.

The appointment called for "strong, able, honest, discreet and sober men."

The Act set up a basis for rules and regulations that many other towns and cities would use for their own volunteer departments.