The organization of volunteer firefighters was typically the first civic institution in a Western community. This usually occurred before the arrival of law enforcement, postal service, and anything dealing with religious worship (unless the community was organized by a religious group). With buildings made of wood and heated by open flames, illuminated by candles, and filled with men who smoked, fire was a constant hazard. Community volunteer firefighting groups prided themselves on quick response time and they boasted the acquisition of each piece of firefighting equipment.