Few fire departments in the United States can celebrate what is being honored on Friday in Salisbury: the fire department's 200th birthday. The celebration will begin at 10:00 am in the 100 block of East Innes Street with the unveiling of the historical marker. A special fire truck parade featuring entries from a number of fire departments will take place in downtown Salisbury at 7:00 pm. According to the department's web site, Salisbury's first fire company was formed in 1817 when James Monroe was president. 32 citizens pledged a total of $415 to start the process to purchase equipment “to protect the city from fire.”