Although firefighting has a long history in Britain, at the turn of twentieth century there was not yet a comprehensive service covering various areas. As major centres of British industry, the cities of Newcastle and Sunderland both had professional fire brigades. However, as industry grew and labour relations became increasingly important, it was no longer possible to ignore the need for all citizens to be covered.
With archive photography covering the whole of the twentieth century and analysis of major technological innovations like the fireboat and turntable ladder, Ron Henderson has created an in-depth record of a service on which we all depend. Times of both conflict and peace are covered right up to the present day, including the 1974 reorganisation which created the current Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service. This service now has responsibility for Newcastle, Sunderland and a further nine districts both north and south of the Tyne.