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Portsmouth Fire Brigade

Tags: City Museum, Police Service, Portsmouth City Fire Brigade

Portsmouth City Fire Brigade was originally a branch of the police service; young trainees served as firemen before being sworn as policemen when they were 20.  The earliest firemen’s helmets were metal.  As electricity in homes became more common, leather was used instead because it reduced the danger of electrocution.

The steel helmet pictured below dates from the Second World War. The city’s fire services played a vital role during the war in fighting fires caused by enemy air raids. A number of firemen were killed and some fire service personnel received awards for bravery.

Portsmouth City Fire Brigade helmet from the City Museum collection