The Society has continued to exist and now recognises people who perform acts of bravery in rescuing others from the life-threatening effects of fires in the United Kingdom.
[1] The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was formed in 1836, it received royal patronage in 1837 but lost it again in 1901 when King Edward VII declined to renew it after the death of Queen Victoria.
In its 1837 annual report, the society stated its purpose as “the preservation of Life from Fire, by organising a body of men who shall be provided with… public fire escapes… and also by exciting Fireman, Policemen and others to a prompt attention to the scene of danger – by holding out rewards, as the merit of the case may deserve”.
[2] Its main work at this time was the provision and maintenance of fire escapes at around seventy central London locations.
The fire-escape in use is Abraham Wivell's; its height varies from 43 ft. to 45 ft., and by means of a supplemental ladder even 60 feet can, if necessary, be obtained.
[9] The Society has continued to exist and now recognises people who perform acts of bravery in rescuing others from the life-threatening effects of fires in the United Kingdom.