Ancient Greek firefighting practices still influence modern techniques

In its article, Greek Reporter highlights that the ancient Greeks were pioneers not only in the realms of philosophy, science, and politics but also in the development of firefighting techniques. 

Fires have posed a danger to humanity for millennia, and studying how ancient civilizations, especially the Greeks, battled them can provide valuable insights for modern firefighting practices.

The Ancient Greeks tackled fires with creativity, relying on limited resources and a strong sense of community, where everyone played a part. Unlike today's professional fire departments or those seen in later civilizations like the Roman Empire, they lacked organized firefighting brigades.

The techniques and innovations developed by the Greeks paved the way for future firefighting advancements adopted by other societies and nations.

One of the Greeks' most significant contributions to firefighting was the invention of the fire pump.

This crucial advancement in fire suppression was introduced by a man named Ctesibius.

Ctesibius, a native of Alexandria who lived in the 3rd century BC during the peak of the Hellenistic era in Egypt, was the inventor of this groundbreaking device. His fire pump utilized a double-piston mechanism.

The primary function of this invention was to create a continuous flow of water, which could then be directed at fires through a rotating nozzle, much like the ones used by modern firefighters.

Later, in the 1st century BC, Hero of Alexandria made significant improvements to this design. He enhanced its efficiency and precision, refining the mechanism to make it more sophisticated and durable.

These pumps played a vital role in the Greek approach to firefighting and were among the earliest mechanical devices designed to combat fires. Their effectiveness led to their rapid adoption, as they provided the most advanced solution available to counter the destructive force of fires.

In addition to their technological innovations, the ancient Greeks also relied on basic firefighting methods to manage difficult fires.

One widely used technique, which is still seen today, involved communities forming human chains to pass buckets of water from a source to the fire.

The Greeks also used large, water-soaked sponges to smother flames, while sand was employed to put out smaller fires that might have spread from larger blazes.

Given the circumstances, people often resorted to whatever resources were available, including clothes and fabrics soaked in water, which were likely used as makeshift tools to control fires at their source.

By Naila Huseynova