157 years ago on July 31st, 1865
The Metropolitan Fire Department begins service and would become the FDNY five years later
Although firefighting in the city can be traced back to 1648, when volunteers fought fires with buckets of water, the MFD's Engine Company Number 1 at 4 Centre Street was the beginning of a paid firefighting organization. The first reference to "FDNY" came when the MFD was placed under city control in 1870.
References: