In actual fact all Bridbury’s citizens are “in the fire brigade”. When smoke rises somewhere over the town and George Biggin or his wife Ann sound the alarm bell above the fire department, everyone drops what they are doing and follows the fire engine, pulled by four English thoroughbreds, on its great wheels to the fire. Once there, George takes firm control of the pumps and directs the hose-company (baker, Pete Hammersmith, antique merchant, Harry Darton and Mickey Russel of the Victoria Inn) from the closest water to the fire.

The men of the town take it in turns to operate the pumps and when they grow tired they are replaced by others. There is a real problem if there is no water in the neighbourhood of the fire. In this case the pump is useless and they have to switch to passing buckets by hand all the way to the source of the fire. Often such a building has to be given up upon at an early stage and Frederick is primarily occupied in ensuring that the fire does not spread to other buildings. 

However, change is on the way. Then Bridbury’s fire department will have dispose over a real, steam driven pump wagon, which can be attached to a tank wagon that simply drives the water to the fire! Frederick is looking very much forward to this, as is his wife Ann, who through the years has also become as infatuated with fire fighting profession as is her husband and who can’t wait to welcome the new acquisition. And when there is a fire she is at the front in her oilskin coat, the hose in her hands, fighting the fire, stronger and more fanatic than any man. Except of course for farrier Frank Cobham, who is master of everybody. And when the fire is out, Frederick and Ann Biggin rest comfortably by the open hearth with a glass of gin...