In 1829, the Humane Hose Company and the Schuylkill Hydraulians Engine Company organized in the booming town of Pottsville, a mining center in Pennsylvania's anthracite coal region. Fire protection was urgently needed for this growing community. In a patriotic response to President Lincoln's call to arms, two Pottsville fire companies disbanded, committing themselves to the Union; they became members of the legendary "First Defenders" of the Civil War. The 20th century brought new challenges of motorization, dieselization, and ever-stricter training standards. Pottsville Firefighting celebrates 175 years of firefighting in Pottsville.