Why do they call firefighters jakes

The sheer speed and precision of the old-fashioned pull-box system is still unmatched. If you called on your cellphone, you have to wait for the call to be routed to a dispatcher, who will then ask you a series of questions.

The pull-box sends the signal instantly, no questions asked. The importance is that, in this day and age, fire-alarm boxes are still a fantastic, dependable system for notifying the Fire Department of emergencies.

Technology has advanced, but they still have a place. How the Boxes Work. Miles of copper wiring throughout the city connect each alarm box to an electronic grid. Inside each box is a clock-like mechanism. First, the force exerted by pulling down on the lever causes a gear inside the box to spin. Each box is identified by a specific number, and the spinning gear has a series of notches on its outer edge that correlates with that number.

For example, the outer edge of the gear inside box has one notch, then a space, then eight notches, then a space, then one notch, a space, and eight notches. Spinning gears complete electric circuits, which transmit information via copper wires to the Fire Alarm Office. Newer computers makes the location process relatively quick but as a back up incoming telegraph messages work by punching holes in a piece of paper. So if someone pulls alarm box number 57, the message will be sent to the dispatch office with five holes in a piece of paper, a space, and then seven more holes.

Fire department dispatchers then turn that hole-filled paper into coordinates to send a team. November 12, Tweets by RocklandFire. Fire Department Traditions. Open Brush Burning Information. Follow us on Twitter RocklandFire.

Like us on Facebook. November 12, Tweets by RocklandFire. Username: Password: Forgot Your Login? Welcome to the new site! Site Map. RSS Feeds. Why are fire trucks red? Jan 19, A "Jake". The term Jake is affectionate New England slang for a Firefighter. This word was first used as a reference to firemen in the early 20th century in the Greater Boston area, and it's origins are recognized as officially unknown by several authors.

While it is now a widely accepted term in the fire service, it is almost exclusively used in New England, and almost exclusively used to bestow great praise and the highest levels of respect.

To be called a "Good Jake" is the highest form of praise a Boston area firefighter can possibly receive from a peer. The term "Jake" is most probably derived from the term "J-Key".

The first street-corner fire alarm box system was invented and constructed in the city of Boston, and was based on a telegraph system, novel in its day. Inside each box, next to the automatic alarm mechanism that tripped when someone pulled the hook, there was a small telegraph tapper, called a telegraph key, that firemen could use to communicate back to headquarters once they arrived on scene.

As time passed, many World War One veterans had become Boston firefighters, and the telegraphs that these men were familiar with were the U. Army issue J-3 portable telegraph key known as the WWI "trench key" , as well as other military J-Series telegraph keys, which were all known commonly as "J-Keys".

These veterans probably used this as a common slang for the keys they used inside their fire alarm boxes. Being a "Good J-Key" probably meant a fireman who was cool under the pressure and could send clear morse code. Saint Florian. The Maltese Cross. The Maltese cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire service.

It is often seen painted on fire trucks, on the clothing of firefighters, depicted on firefighters badges, and is quite often the chosen design of firefighter tattoos.

The Maltese cross has its origins going back to the era of the Crusades and is named after the island of Malta which came to be the home of the Knights of St.

The Knights of St. John existed during the 11th and 12 centuries. To help identify friend from foe during the fighting, they needed a symbol that could be used to quickly and easily identify themselves.

They chose the Cross of Calvary which would later be known as the Maltese cross as their symbol because the Crusades were battles fought for a holy cause. During these battles, the enemies of the knights commonly used fire as a weapon. It was not uncommon for a Knight to have to risk his own life to extinguish a fire or rescue a comrade. Because of their ability to fight fires, and the pride and honor they took in the care of their sick and injured, the Maltese cross evolved into a fitting symbol of the modern fire service.

The cross has since come to represent the principles of charity , loyalty , gallantry , generosity to friend and foe, dexterity of service, and protection of the weak. History of Fire Apparatus. The Tradition of Bagpipes.

The Dalmatian. The Tolling of the Bell. Firefighters and MDA. Apr 10, Oct 12, Fire Alarm Boxes They stand like sentinels on city sidewalks. How the Boxes Work Miles of copper wiring throughout the city connect each alarm box to an electronic grid. Integrity and trust within the crew is essential. You must be able to trust your fellow firefighter; trust them to know their job, trust them to have your back, trust them to keep your secrets, trust them with your safety and even your life.

But firefighters are perhaps the most heroic of them all. But there are a few other reasons, and risks that are taken, that makes firefighters stand out amongst their peers. Helpful tips. Why are firefighters called Jakes? Why do firefighters ride backwards? What does DB mean for firefighters? What is the difference between Fireman and Firefighter? What are firefighters and police called?

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Are firefighters happy? Being a good Jake, most likely meant you were cool under pressure and able to send clear Morse code.

I can only imagine how Detroit picked up the term, giving it negative connotations. Perhaps it stemmed from a rivalry between old time Detroit firefighters and east coast firefighters. Back then, firefighters would gathered compete for titles such as Fastest Hose Coupler of America.

I envision the Detroit guys hearing the New Englanders calling each other Jakes in the good way. After the competition they took the term home, with the negative connotations attached. Of course, this is just a theory…. Join our ranks to get new posts from DFDLegacy.