
On the other hand, I believe the term "fire engine" originated in horse-drawn days, reference to the mobile steam engines that were used to pump water for the fire hoses. If I recall correctly, that equipment was kept "simmering" in the fire stations so as to shorten the time required to power up the pumps if an alarm was called in. Firemen would stoke the boilers en route to a fire, oftimes arriving at the scene with a full head of steam, ready to go. Perhaps the Stanley was managed in similar fashion so that the Chief and the fire marshal would arrive at a conflagration in timely manner ?