For over a century, the Cincinnati fire department has been on of the most influential in developing new ways to fight fires. The Cincinnati fire museum illustrates how the Cincinnati fire department (the first professional department in the nation) came about and the ever evolving techniques of the firefighter profession. The fire museum is located in the heart of downtown and is committed to teaching programs on fire safety and prevention. The museum was founded in 1977 and raised 1.5 million dollars to restore a city fire house (Engine 45) in which the museum is currently located.