Today's event, Dezome-shiki - New Year's Firemen Parade

In many countries the firefighters are among the most trusted and respected organizations. All the more so in Japan, where in the past the great fires were so frequent that an old Japanese expression says "fires and quarrels are the flowers of Edo" - there were 49 great fires between 1601 and 1867. The Edo fire brigade was established after the Great Fire of Meireki from 1657, which destroyed 80% of Edo.

Their successors, the firemen from Tokyo, are organizing each year at Ariake (near the Tokyo Big Sight), the Dezome-shiki, New Year's Firemen Parade. The event will take place today, January 6th and over 2000 professional firefighters, with over 100 fire engines and helicopters, will offer spectacular demonstrations with fire trucks, emergency rescue demonstrations and disaster interventions...