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Philadelphia's First Firefighters Recognized On Market Street With Commemorative Sidewalk Sign

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia's original firefighters were recognized on Market Street Saturday morning with a commemorative sidewalk sign.

The Pennsylvania Historical Society has unveiled an historical marker in front of 221 Market Street to commemorate the original volunteer firefighters in the city of Philadelphia.

"You walk through, it leads over to Christ Church. It's just a very important location," says Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers. He says a lot of things have changed when it comes to firefighting and fire safety.

"The technological changes, the organizational changes, code."

The plaque is located in front of Grindstone Alley. This is the place where the original firefighters stored their gear in 1736.

"All of those 30 men, many signers of the Declaration of Independence, they bought their gear that they purchased with their own money, each had to have six leather bags for drawing water."

Reported By Hadas Kuznits, KYW Newsradio

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