What city is credited with starting the first paid fire department?

The establishment of the first paid fire department is attributed to Boston, Massachusetts, which formed its paid fire service in 1678. This marked a significant shift from reliance on volunteer fire brigades to a professional, paid workforce dedicated to fire suppression and prevention. The decision to create a paid fire department was driven by the need for a reliable and organized response to fires, especially in urban areas where the risk of devastating fires was high.

Cities like New York and London had their own fire services, but they were primarily organized around volunteer efforts for a substantial period. The development of Boston's paid firefighter model laid the groundwork for modern fire departments across the United States, paving the way for more structured and efficient emergency response services and recognizing firefighting as an essential public service.