“One of the Brave” A nostalgic series of 12 inch firefighter action figures! About the project The Aurora Regional Fire Museum has been consulting with a major toy manufacture on series of detailed and historically accurate twelve-inch tall collectable action figures. A series of three figures have been designed -- a red-shirted volunteer firefighter from the 1850's, a turn of the century firefighter that is equipped with a ladder and a Vajen-Bader smoke mask, and a firefighter from the 1930s.   The Volunteer By the mid 1800s, organized volunteer fire companies were popping up in cities and towns across America. Fire was a constant threat to this nineteenth-century society built primarily of wood and fire protection was considered an important community responsibility. Fire engines of the era required many people to operate. They were hand-pulled to fires and hand-pumped once on the scene. Engine companies strictly pumped water. Hose and ladder companies were formed to transport other equipment to the scene and perform support activities. Fire "enjines" of the 1800s were objects of pride and devotion, often being decorated with elaborate carvings and paintings. In many communities, fire companies and their members became very powerful social and political organizations. Great pride was taken in membership of a fire company and often rivalries developed between neighboring companies. The first figure of the "One of the Brave Series" series, (the "The Volunteer") comes equipped with real die-cast accessories such as a speaking trumpet, Viking-style axe, and a spanner wrench. Other accessories include a leather belt, fire bucket, helmet, red bib-shirt, and even a neckerchief ring! Packaged in a colorful and descriptive open window box, and with a limited run of 5,000 pieces. (Click on a of the thumbnailed imaged below for an enlarged picture)           Helmet Belt Speaking Trumpet Fire Bucket Pike Pole The Masked Hero Firefighter from the 1890s Towards the end of the 1800s, the rivalry exiting between volunteer fire companies in many cities had escalated into fist fights, violence, and even reports of arson. Outraged citizens searched for other means of fighting fires, yet up to this point fire engines always required lots of members to operate. In 1853, a successful steam powered fire engine was created in Cincinnati Ohio, and in that same year Cincinnati became the first city in the United States to form a paid fire department. Steam powered fire engines enabled four or five men to do the same job that once required a crew of forty or fifty, thus making it economical for communities to employ full-time firefighters. These new paid firefighters brought a sense of discipline, duty, and professionalism back to the task of fighting fires and saving lives. New inventions such as fire alarm systems, quick-hitch horse collars, aerial ladder trucks, chemical engines, and smoke masks, revolutionized the way fires were fought. The second figure (the "The Masked Hero") comes equipped with a traditonal uniform shirt, turnout coat, fire helmet, life belt, axe, extension ladder, and a Vajen-Bader Smoke Mask. Packaged in a colorful and descriptive open window box, and with a limited run of 2,500 pieces. (Click on a of the thumbnailed imaged below for an enlarged picture)           Without turnout coat (front) With turnout coat (front) With turnout coat (rear) With smoke mask (front) With smoke mask (rear)           Helmet Life belt and Axe Ladder Smoke Mask (front) Smoke Mask (rear)   The 1930s Firefighter - Stay tuned -- more information will be posted soon! (Click on a of the thumbnailed imaged below for an enlarged picture)           1930 Firefighter Hand Light "Pure-air" Air Mask “Pure-air” Compressor Fire Axe Ready to order? Download a “pfd” order form -- “figure_form.pdf” (176k) . . . or open "one_of_the_brave_form.htm" and print a graphic “jpg” order form