NPS Photo Copper Country Firefighters History MuseumBackgroundNot familiar with the Copper Country Firefighters History Museum or the Keweenaw Peninsula? Start here: Below are the activities that will teach you how firefighters faced much different challenges then firefighters today and used much different equipment. Back then, firefighters used systems such as the bucket brigade to put out fires which is much different than the high-pressure hoses used today. In the late 19th century, bucket brigades were replaced by horse drawn fire fighting vehicles. Able to carry ladders and manual water pumps, this was a much more efficient approach than bucket brigades.Then, in the early 20th century, gas powered fire trucks were used. These trucks proved to have a much faster response time and larger carrying capacity than the previous horse drawn approach. Gas powered trucks were not only able to carry more equipment, but they were also able to carry a lot more people than before. This improvement was a significant upgrade in firefighting technology. Continue below to learn about historic firefighting equipment and the ways the equipment was used.
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Last updated: December 29, 2025