On May 17, 1869, the Evansville Police and Firefighters were reorganized and an initial twenty-one men were hired as semi-professional firefighters. The position of teamster was also created at this time. These men would provide and drive the horses needed to pull the steamer engines used to fight fires. Steamer engines consisted of a boiler that would heat water just enough to create the pressure needed to drive the water through the firefighter’s hoses. Overheating the boiler could result in catastrophic incidences, including explosion.