Rome Fire Department History Virtual Talk

The Rome Historical Society will host Peter Leonard, local history enthusiast, who will discuss the history of the Rome, NY fire department through photographs and memorabilia during a virtual program on Wednesday, July 21st.

Rome Fire Department began as a volunteer organization in the early 19th Century with little to no firefighting equipment. From leather buckets to fire engines the Fire Department has evolved with the growing population and technological advancements of the 19th and 20th centuries. This program reviews the history of the Rome Fire Department through photographs of equipment, fire stations, and uniforms of local fire fighters.

Peter Leonard is a native Roman and local history enthusiast, collector, and author of Rome Revisited. His father, also Peter Leonard, was a Rome firefighter for 30 years and left behind a collection of memorabilia and an appreciation for local firefighting heroes. Leonard will discuss the humble beginnings of the local fire department as well as the technological advancements and will also talk about many of the most destructive fires.

This program will be held at 7 pm on the Rome Historical Society Facebook page. For more information, call (315) 336-5870, or visit their website.

Photo of Rome Fire Department provided.