What significant technology did the first full-time paid fire department in the US use?

The first full-time paid fire department in the US, established in 1853 in Cincinnati, Ohio, implemented steam engines as a significant advancement in firefighting technology. Steam engines marked a crucial transition from manual firefighting methods to more efficient mechanized technology. This innovation allowed for a faster and more powerful means of transporting water to extinguish fires.

The steam engine could pump water at a higher pressure and volume compared to earlier techniques, which relied on human manpower or horse-drawn carriages. The use of steam engines represented a vital step in the evolution of firefighting, enhancing response times and effectiveness in combating fires. This advancement laid the groundwork for the modern firefighting apparatus we see today, which incorporates various technological advancements built upon the foundation that steam engines provided.