Badge of the Imperial Russian Fire Society (IRPO)

The Russian Fire Society was founded on June 14, 1892 with the aim of uniting under one leadership the voluntary fire societies that by that time existed in many localities of the Russian Empire. Its tasks included the organization of preventive fire-fighting measures, assistance to firefighters and persons affected by fires, improvement of fire-fighting water supply, publication of fire-technical literature, holding congresses and exhibitions. The company's activities have played a huge role in the development of the Russian fire protection. In 1898, the Russian Fire Society received the status of an Imperial One, and Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich was appointed its honorary chairman. After his death in 1909, the IRPO was under the patronage of his widow, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, until 1917. Officials of the society and the fire brigades included in it had the right to wear the appropriate insignia. The badge is a fire helmet superimposed on crossed fire axes, surrounded by a laurel-oak wreath topped with an imperial crown. At the bottom of the wreath is a ribbon with the inscription "IRPO" and initials "VA" in the frame. Not all of the volunteer fire brigades of that time were part of the IRPO, and not all the vigilantes wore uniforms (most were equipped with fire-fighting suits), so the IRPO insignia is quite rare these days. Guarantee of authenticity.