U.S. #971 commemorates the 300 anniversary of the first volunteer fire department in America. New Netherlands leader Peter Stuyvesant appointed four men to act as “fire wardens” in New Amsterdam – now known as New York City. The wardens inspected chimneys and administered fines to people who had not kept their chimneys swept clear to prevent fires. The money gained from the fines was used to purchase fire-fighting equipment such as ladders and buckets.