what is the history of firemen? what are their rules?

according to the novel fahrenheit 451 firemen did put out fires way back in times before society changed. In guy montag's society, firemen start the fires in the homes of the people who are suspected of hording books and other materials that goes aganist the grain of their uniform and conformities of society. They must start the fires but not harm any one and make sure that all the books and reading materials that are aganist the law are burned or destroyed.