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Ryland Heights Volunteer Fire Department is a Fire Department located in Covington, Kenton County, in the State of Kentucky.
Firefighting in the United States dates back to the earliest European colonies in the Americas.
Early firefighters were simply community members who would respond to neighborhood fires with buckets.
The first dedicated volunteer fire brigade was established in 1736 in Philadelphia. These volunteer companies were often paid by insurance companies in return for protecting their clients.
The first professional fire department was established in Cincinnati in 1853.
By the 20th century fire departments were forced to adapt to more modern hazards and dangers, such as high rise and hazardous material fires. They also began to expand their services to include other, non-fire, public safety needs including vehicle rescue and EMS service.
Firefighters in the United States today are organized along paramilitary lines, utilizing modern equipment, and are most often grouped into city or county departments.
