Les Sapeurs-Pompiers

This post is for Andrew.  Today we went to the Musée de Carnavalet in the Marais.  It is the museum of the history of Paris.  Kelly wanted to check out the exhibit on the French Revolution.  He wants to  take his students to see it for his class that studies and compares the French and American Revolutions.
Kate asked me not to bring the camera.  She says we're not tourists but of course I brought it just in case because when I go out without a camera, I see something and wish I had it.  And of course I did see something.  We stumbled upon a Fire Station on rue de Sévigny so Kelly and Kate let me stop and take pictures for Andrew.

Kate Checks out the Entrance to the Fire Station

Close up of the Entrance Sign

Inside the Courtyard of the Fire Station

Even though the sign says the area is under surveillance, and access is regulated, I peeked inside the courtyard and took a picture.
Kelly noticed a vintage fire alarm in front of the station.  It reads "In case of disaster, break the glass.  Indicate here the street, the number and the reason for the call."

Kelly in his Smurf Hat

I found a little history of how the firefighters in Paris began and why they are called Pompiers: 

Credit for the first professional fire brigade is often given to Napoleon Bonaparte. He ordered that a division of the French army known as Sapeurs-Pompiers be used to protect Paris with 30 manual fire pumps around 1800. But there were people who were paid to provide some form of fire protection or suppression service, in Paris, many years prior to that. In 1699 François du Mouriez took interest in a better pump, fire hose and some other advancements, and provided 12 fire pumps to the city of Paris to become the first director of des pompes de la Ville de Paris in 1716. The French fire brigade was known as Compagnie des gardes-pompes (the Company of Pump Guards).  The French word for pumper, "pompier" became the name for French firefighters. On March 11, 1733 the French government proclaimed that the service of the fire brigades would be free of charge. Prior to this there was a fee and people often avoided calling in order to avoid being charged.

Ladder Truck

When we passed the fire station again on our way back to the Metro, a ladder truck was returning and the firemen hopped out and followed the truck inside the courtyard.  We sure miss Andrew.