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

The first full-time paid fire department in the United States, established in Boston in 1678, utilized steam engines as a significant advancement in firefighting technology. Steam engines allowed for a more efficient and effective method of transporting water to extinguish fires compared to earlier methods. This technology represented a major leap forward from previous equipment, such as horse-drawn carriages which were primarily used for transporting firefighters and equipment rather than actively fighting fires. Water buckets and fire igniters, while historically relevant, did not provide the same level of innovation or efficiency in combatting fires as steam engines did. The implementation of steam engines marked a pivotal development in fire service, leading to increased response capabilities and better management of fire emergencies.