Fire marshals and firefighters: this is how the fire brigade in Zoetermeer came into being

In the event of a fire, we can count on the fire brigade. But how was this arranged in Zoetermeer in the past? Very different, we can tell you!

Alert at night

Throughout the early history of Zoetermeer, fires were fought with buckets of water. These were passed on by the residents. There was no question of a professional fire brigade yet. However, from 1580 onwards there was a so-called ‘klapwaker’: someone who stayed awake at night to warn Zoetermeer residents if something was wrong. The guardsman therefore had an important function and sometimes this person also had a special guardhouse where he stayed during his shift.

First fire engines

Since 1642 something more has been possible. The Oude Kerk is built in that year, which makes it easier to warn residents. After a serious city fire, the first manual fire extinguisher was purchased in 1703. However, putting out a fire is still not an easy job… It takes 36 residents to operate the fire engine. These residents are appointed by the so-called fire chief, the person who was in charge.

What is a fire engine house?

The first fire engine house is located next to the Old Church, but when the church has to be largely rebuilt due to disrepair, a new guardhouse will also be built. There will also be two new fire engine houses. All important items are housed in such a fire house, such as hoses, buckets and lamps. Zoetermeer has had such houses on the Zegwaardeweg, the Voorweg and the Leidsewallen, among others.

Establishment of the Zoetermeer fire brigade

The Zoetermeer fire brigade as we know it today has its origins in 1894. In that year, after a period of economic development, a regulation on the fire brigade was introduced. A lot of improvements have been made over the years. For example, the construction of the water supply network, the purchase of the first car sprayer and the establishment of the volunteer fire brigade.

Major fires in Zoetermeer

Unfortunately, our municipality has had to deal with quite a few major fires. To name a few… On December 23, 1988, there was a major fire in the Meester Verwerssschool and in 2003 a major fire in the Kroepoekfabriek. In 2007 there were even two very large fires: one in a company building on Cobaltstraat and another at the primary school ‘De Vrije School’.

Zoetermeer Fire Department today

Nowadays, the Zoetermeer fire brigade has two barracks: one on Olof Palmelaan in Oosterheem and one on Brusselstraat in the Stadshart. Most old fire engine houses are no longer recognizable these days. In some cities you see that the old fire engine houses are being given a new function. In IJsselstein you have a tiny restaurant in one fire hose houseand one in Dordrecht pottery.