Fire buckets were used to transport water from wells and rivers to quech fires in businesses and residences.  They were also found at railroad stations and on ships.  Towns often required households and businesses to maintain a certain number of fire buckets depending upon the inherent risk of the structures involved.  Later, they developed bucket brigades where human chains were formed, passing full buckets hand to hand to the fire.  These practices predated the arrival of fire engines and organized fire departments.