Now, a group of schoolchildren in Columbia has begun a campaign to do just that.  New York City lost 343 firefighters in the collapse of the World Trade Center, together with 98 vehicles, including 19 pumpers and 15 ladder trucks.  According to The New York Times, which drew national attention to the South Carolina campaign, the equipment will cost an estimated $47 million to replace.  The human cost is, of course, incalculable. 

The students at White Knoll Middle School in Columbia did not actually learn the story of New York's 1867 gift until after they had begun raising money to buy New York City a new fire engine.  It was Columbia's fire chief (who happens to be a native of Staten Island) who brought it to their attention.  The campaign, and the bit of history it brings to mind,  have received wide attention in South Carolina and inspired the citizens of that state to reach deeply into their pockets. 

Fire fighting equipment has evolved considerably since the Civil War era.  The hose carriage New York sent to Columbia cost $2,500; returning the favor will cost $354,000.  As of November 1, some $323,000 had been raised.  The full story can be found on the site of Columbia's Lexington School District One.  Donations may be sent to South Carolina Remembers/ Lexington One Educational Foundation in care of White Knoll Middle School, 116 White Knoll Way, West Columbia, SC 29170.

This Tidbit is dedicated to the 343 New York firefighters who lost their lives on September 11.  The links below provide an introduction to the world of fighting fires and to the technology that fire fighters use in the United States and around the world.

Links:
= highly recommended

"How Fire Engines Work," from Marshall Brain's How Stuff Works.  Learn all about crosslay hoses, deluge guns, and more.  A unique resource for learning about the technological side of fire engines at an introductory level.

"Fire Fighting Occupations,"  from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition.  There were 314,000 paid, career firefighters in the U.S. in 1998 (not including volunteers).  "Significant points" about careers in fire fighting: "Fire fighting involves hazardous conditions and long, irregular hours," and "Keen competition for jobs is expected; many people are attracted to the occupation because it provides considerable job security and the opportunity to perform an essential public service." 

Columbia, South Carolina, Fire Department Museum. (An online brochure, not much else, unfortunately.)

The Sack and Destruction of Columbia, South Carolina, by William Gilmore Simms.  A survivor's account, originally published in 1897, it has been republished by Eastern Digital Resources ($25).

Fire equipment suppliers in the U.S.:
     POK of North America--"The only choice behind the scenes."
     Kidde Fire Fighting Companies--a fire fighting conglomerate.
     LHR Services and Equipment--fire entry suits, personal air conditioners, and more.
     Firetec--"We sell more fire trucks than anybody else in the country."

Fire engines and fire fighting equipment from countries outside the U.S.:
     Hub Fire Engines--Abbotsford, British Columbia--"Canadian Proud, Canadian Owned."
     Fire Engines in Japan (in English).  On "Nikki's Homepage."  Nikki is a fire engine fan.
     Fire Service in the Republic of Belarus (with links to related subjects).
     Fire Engines. . .now used in Amsterdam-1735, a book by Jan van der Heyden ($55).
     Market for Fire Fighting Equipment in Russia (1998), by Michael Nikoulichev (full text online)
     Willys Fire Engines in Australia.
     Historic Fire Engines of the Czech Republic.
     Strathclyde Fire Brigade Preservation Group (Scotland).
     Jiangsu Taizhou Yongtai Fire-Fighting Equipment Co., Ltd. (China).

A selection of books on fire engines from Powells.com.