Fire Brigades originally used steam-powered water-pumps, towed by horses. Response times must have been poor by today’s standards but when this photograph was taken, probably just before the First World War, motor vehicles were commonplace and powerful enough to carry the firemen, their equipment and possibly a supply of water. They would been on their way within seconds of the alarm being raised. These firemen are clearly very proud of their engine which is called ‘The Mary Dalziel’. Perhaps Mrs. Dalziel was a local benefactor who funded the purchase of the engine and this was a posed photograph on its arrival. Maybe we should name fire appliances today.

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