Pufferbelly Restaurant & Bar, Erie

In the early days the Erie Fire Department was made up of volunteers. It first became an organization In 1816 and in 1886 the Active Fire Company was established. The company equipment consisted of hand pumpers, hose and buckets, and every homeowner was required to have a bucket for the protection of his property. Council records form 1813 show the first money expended for fire equipment was $40.00 for fire ladders and hooks. The first "Fire Engine" was purchased for $350.00 in 1815. The second pumper, a Button, hand pulled and hand pumped was purchased from Rufus J. Reed in 1830 and can be seen today at the original Fire House No. 4 located at 428 Chestnut Street, Erie. Fire House No. 4 was built in 1903 and in 1975 became the home of the Firefighters Historical Museum, Inc.