...Continuing.. Obviously today things are different with the insurance companies, but to keep the tradition in the Fire Service alive, there is still a friendly "rivalry" among each company (station and/or departmnet).

Just for clarification, a Fire Station is a part of a Fire Department. Raleigh Fire Station 3, Station 6, Station 20, etc. are ALL a part of Raleigh Fire Department. Each one is not their own "department." Sorry, that's just a pet peeve of mine!

The use of the term "company" in the Fire Service dates way back to the days of fighting fires for insurance companies. Insurance compaines used to provide the fire service for their customers. Then the fire companies started to use Fire Marks that are pretty much a metal sign with the unique symbol that represented each "fire company." Back then, the only company that would get paid (by the insurance company) for fighting the fire, would be the one whose Fire Mark was on the house. So, that means that other fire companies would not fight the fire because they would not have gotten paid. Then the Insurance companies progressed to pay the fire company that put the fire out.

All of this created a rivalry in the Fire Service between the different "fire compaines" that is still (somewhat) present today in the more traditional departments. Obviously today things are different with the insurance companies, but to keep the tradition in the Fire Service alive, there is still a friendly "ri

Fire trucks has been called companies for a long time. Its each group of fire fighters that are on a engine, truck/ladder or tanker.

WRAL why do find it necessary to put the tax value on your story.The only people that care,are the one's NOT willing to help,or cry "oh well they are rich folk".

Yes...Ever hear the Andrew's Sisters song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B"? Company is an old army term referring to a team of members from a certain larger group or department. In this case companies are referring to certain trucks and team from many different fire houses.