 Others have also taken credit with the original idea, but White challenged his company (who were mostly second sons of farmers) to arrive at a reported fire site before he could ride from his home or a community event to the fire's location, usually under five minutes.The normal arrival period for volunteers was 20 or more minutes.White, himself, would arrive at a fire, dressed in his turnout and equipment, before his company, coming from his home or a community function.