In the late 1800's, after Thomas Brown laid out Brownsville, the borough decided to appoint a safety committee to inspect chimneys, stovepipes, ovens and other fire hazards. In 1822, the borough council saw the need for fire protection and in turn purchased 6 ladders, 3 hooks and 1 ten foot length of chain. In 1827, a volunteer fire company was organized followed by the purchase of a Cooper Patient Rotative Engine for $290 by the borough council in 1830. The truck pumped 100 gallons/minute and used 8 men to do the pumping. The company, also having a fire wagon decided to lease a building to house their equipment in 1833. From 1851-1883 several semi-organized fire companies tried and failed in the borough, so the only fire protection consisted of the Monongahela River and a few fire pumps. Then in 1910, Brownsville Fire Company #1 was granted a charter, with the first record of a fire being in April of that year. In September the fire department joined the Pennsylvania Fire Association.