Kesovo volunteer fire society. 1926 collective photo.

Kesovo volunteer fire society. 1926 collective photo.
Kesova Gora, Tver region, 1926 On thick cardboard, format 23 x 17 cm.

[The middle of the XIX century is one of the most interesting stages in the development of fire fighting in Russia and the strengthening of the state fire protection. With the adoption of the "Normal report card of the fire Department in cities" in 1853, the formation of the organizational structure of professional fire protection was completed. Its staff was determined depending on the population in the locality.

However, attempts to curb the fire by professionals alone did not bring the desired result. new forms of fire fighting were needed, including by involving the population (society) in the fight against fires. Therefore, under city governments, voluntary and public fire brigades or voluntary fire brigades were created. 

And in 1843, the first public fire brigade was established in Ostashkov, Tver province, on the initiative of the city society. Members of such teams (squads) were workers, peasants, small homeowners, artisans who were vitally interested in preserving their property from fire. By 1891, the number of fire societies, teams, and squads in Russia was more than 3,000. In which there were more than 84 thousand people. 

Russian Russian volunteer fire protection center was created during the all-Russian fire exhibition organized by the Russian technical society in 1892 in St. Petersburg, where the first Congress of Russian fire protection workers was held simultaneously with the exhibition. The Imperial Russian fire society played a huge role in the formation and development of fire volunteerism, and most importantly, in the centralized management of it. 

On June 15, 1892, the Congress of Russian fire protection workers unanimously recognized the vital importance of creating a Fire society, approving the draft Charter of the Society — this day should be considered the birthday of the Russian fire society.

In 1893, the United Russian fire society was created, the Council of The society was formed and started its practical work, which was chaired by count A. D. Sheremetev.

In 1898. The Russian fire society became an Imperial one, and Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich became the honorary Chairman.

After his death (1909), this task was taken over by his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, who actively participated in the work of the Society. The second Chairman of the Society was Prince Lvov A.D. 

The Company's activities were multi-faceted.

Its tasks included: taking preventive measures, preventing fire disasters, helping firefighters and people affected by fires, publishing special literature, organizing and holding fire exhibitions.

The main source of funding for the activities of The society's Council and voluntary fire organizations was one-time contributions from honorary members of the Society, insurance companies, money from lotteries, and sales of fire equipment.

The Russian fire society was actually the only center in Russia for solving all problems related to fires. His efforts managed to unite many figures of the fire Department to solve urgent issues of fire safety. Great was the merit of the Society in expanding fire prevention propaganda.

The IRPO existed for 27 years. In 1919, due to the disloyalty of the leadership of the Central Council of the society to the Soviet government, the IRPO was liquidated, although structural divisions, voluntary fire formations and teams were preserved in almost all provinces and volosts and existed during the Soviet period.]