Pride. Passion. Purpose.


In author Ray Bradbury's book "Fahrenheit 451," the firemen have forgotten their history. Instead of extinguishing fires, they set them: particularly favoring the burning of books. One of the reasons I wrote "Fear No Flame" was to remind everyone -- both firefighters and the general public -- of this profession's rich history.

"Fear NoFlame"began eight years ago with the discovery of a 3" x 5" diary written by my great-grandfather, David Alexander (D.A.) Rozetta. Inside were meticulously written details about Nashville Tennessee's early fires, including dates, times and the names of those who perished. Details that ignited a burning passion in me to learn more about these fires and the men who fought them -- including my great-grandfather and his brother, Antonio Alonzo (A.A) Rozetta, chief of the Nashville Fire Department from 1900 to 1920 and president of the International Association of Fire Engineers (now the International Association of Fire Chiefs) in 1918.

Over the past 10 years, there has been a resurgence of books about our nation's history. But -- even when reading the most acclaimed authors -- I often find myself asking "how do they know?" I didn't want to follow in the footsteps of those who rely on what other historians have written and then pretend they've discovered or "own" that bit of time and space. So I decided to tell the story from the point of view of those who actually witnessed it: the writers and reporters of the time.

Consequently, I made every effort to properly attribute all of the sources used in this book. However, a number of the newspaper articles in A.A. Rozetta's personal scrapbook were trimmed of publication names and dates. I remain eternally grateful, nonetheless, to these unrecorded heroes of the press.

I was initially concerned that my frequent use of quotes, specifically those attributed to newspapers and other periodicals, would slow the pace of the book. But I decided to "break the mold" and risk it for one very simple reason: I want you to trust this book. I want you not only to experience the problems, concerns and technologies of firefighting in the early 1900s but also immerse yourself in the language, ambiance and manner of this early chapter in modern firefighting history.

Because the legacy of this nation's firefighters deserves respect, honor and historical accuracy. It is my hope that I have accomplished all three with "Fear NoFlame."

Thea Rozetta Lapham

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Quotations from newspapers, magazines and other printed material are exactly as they originally appeared. No changes to punctuation, spelling, word choice or style were made. When clarification was needed, the new word(s) were placed in brackets.

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A.A. Rozetta, President
International Association of Fire Engineers/
       International Association of Fire Chiefs
   1918
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The "Chief Rozetta"
Circa 1920

Built in the Nashville Fire Department's mechnical shop, the pumper was christend the "Chief Rozetta" in honor of Chief A.A. Rozetta. The christening took place at a surprise gala reception in Rozetta's honor three months prior to his untimely death: July 21,1920.

The "Chief Rozetta" is currently on loan to the Tennessee State Museum from the Nashville Fire Department.
The museum is located on Fifth and Deaderick Street, in downtown Nashville.

• Many of the fire engine and equipment manufacturers of 1920 -- such as Seagraves, American LaFrance and Foamite -- are still in business today.

• Because residents repeatedly denied them right-of-way, countless firefighters in the early 1900s died in vehicular accidents before reaching the fire: not just in Nashville, but across the nation.

• The city of Chicago experienced 1,661 fires of "suspicious origin" in 1901, resulting in the formation of a special fund for the prosecution of arson cases by the Chicago Underwriter's Association. Similar funds were later established in other cities as well.

• Firefighters lived in their halls 24/7. Although the majority had wives and children, the men were only allowed one day off per week. Thanks to the double-platoon system -- adopted by Nashville, New York and major cities across the United States in 1920 -- departments were eventually given the "green light" to establish two, 12-hour shifts for their men.