French text

The position of firefighter appeared only at the beginning of the eighteenth century with the invention of the hand pump. The need to train available technicians gave birth to the Gardes-Pompes.

In order to be immediately recognizable, they needed a distinctive sign. First it was the corporate medal, the headdress, hat, and helmet, followed by the appearance of a uniform. The firefighter uniform is a recent creation with regards to the other bodies of the State. Like no study before, this publication presents all of the headdresses and uniforms worn by military and civilian firefighters, from their origins to the latest technological advances. For both the history buff and the collector, this book covers all aspects of the subject, with more than 700 color photographs, prints and vintage photos.