The art of firefighting has evolved through time. During the 18th century, most rural areas did not have access to firefighters or fire stations as formal establishments did not yet exist.
Thus if a fire broke out, the owners of the structure had to do their best to extinguish the fire themselves. If a structure in a town caught fire, everyone living in or near the town would race to the scene and form lines where each would fill a bucket with water, most likely from a horse trough, and pass it to the person in front. This person would throw the water on the fire and then reach behind to grab the next bucket. The process known as forming a bucket brigade continued until the fire was out or water was unavailable. Unfortunately, if all resources were scarce or non-existent, the structure would be reduced to ashes.
The 19th century saw an influx of volunteer firefighters and fire stations. The Wytheville Fire Department was established prior to 1835 and formally organized 
in 1849. Today it has grown to include six full-time firefighters with twenty-five volunteers. Fire engines began as wagons, and as their technology advanced, the days of bucket brigades waned as fire hydrants and hoses became the mechanisms for distributing water. In addition, firefighters now wear protective suits and helmets to get closer to blazes. Lives and structures currently have higher chances of survival thanks to these brave souls.
The pictures are of items currently on display at the Thomas J. Boyd Museum.