Located in Parliament Square, off Edinburgh's Royal Mile, is a statue commemorating the pioneering fire-fighter who established the world's first municipal fire brigade in 1824. The James Braidwood Statue was unveiled on 5th September 2008 by Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, Principal of the University of Edinburgh. The sculptor is Glasgow-based Kenny Mackay (b. 1966). The statue is in bronze on a grey granite base, with a plaque which reads: "James Braidwood 1800 - 1861. Father of the British Fire Service. This statue is dedicated to the memory of James Braidwood, a pioneer of the scientific approach to fire-fighting. It also recognises the courage and sacrifice of fire-fighters, not only in Lothian & Borders Fire and Rescue Service, but all over the world. In 1824, Edinburgh suffered two disastrous fires which destroyed much of the old city. As a result, the City Council decided to create the world's first Municipal Fire Brigade and James Braidwood was appointed to take command. Quickly establishing an effective service, he developed new fire-fighting techniques, many of which are still used today. In 1832, he left his native Edinburgh to establish London's first full-time fire brigade. Always at the front of the action, he was killed whilst fighting a fire in London's Tooley Street. This statue has been provided through the vision and, to a degree, the generous sponsorship of Dr Frank Rushbrook CBE - a former Firemaster of Edinburgh and a successor of James Braidwood." Rushbrook had founded the James Braidwood Memorial Fund in 2006.
