Table of the Municipal Guard in Lublin

The Lublin Fire Brigade was established in 1873 by a decision of the Ministry of the Interior. Efforts to set it up had been under way in Lublin for several years, but were not immediately successful; mainly for financial reasons, but also because the partitioning authorities were afraid of any association, seeing in them the seeds of patriotic movements.

The guard was subordinate to the mayor of the city, which is why the tableau features a photograph of Czesław Szczepański, the then mayor of Lublin. Initially, the fire brigade was based in a tenement house on Archidiakońska Street in the Old Town. Two years later, the firefighters moved to new barracks specially built for them on Świętoduska Street, at the back of church buildings, close to the magistrate's office.

The firemen often climbed Krakowska Gate to observe the city from its high tower. At that time, it gained an iron gallery in place of two balconies. That made it possible to go around the tower and thus better observe the area. The firemen also hung an information board on the gate with the air temperature for the day.

The fire brigade was very much needed in the large, governorate city of Lublin. The firemen's primary duty was to fight fires. In addition, their daily tasks included cleaning the streets, lighting lanterns and keeping order in the city at night. Among them were chimney sweeps, who cleaned chimneys, and specialists in repairing pumps and city wells. Sixty-two people were employed when the fire brigade was established.

The firemen were highly respected in the town. They performed a dangerous job, saving lives and property. Their activities gave rise to the professional fire service.