The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-10

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF LoSDoN.-An American
gives explanation OF the of exiinguishing fires
London which must be interesting TO our readers since
there there organizations Tor attending to fires
in this country.
Several insurance companies unite and provide dis.
cpned band oil remen, who ac as leaders tor the crowd
which always gather TO fire made TO assist.
These bands have their rendezvous at convenient places
and are always ready for any calamity.
One OF these spots a singular scene AT all hours OF
the day and night you will find several reengnes well
mounted upon strong cars, TO which attached two
four powerful horses. The gates always open, the
horses harnessed and the lines IN the hands OF driver.
Besides the driver there each team several hremen,
dressed and ready for action and there they stand ready
in seconds notice 10 fly 10 the OF conagralion
large number oil engines and horses are on hand Tor
use and several constantly harnessed and manned for
service. There several depos scattered over the
metropolis from which the engines start. The costume OF
the remen is 6ne, the horses always spirited, and
The sight when they are IN motion IS one OF lille and
spirit.
TO insure the quick transmission OF news of fires to
headquarters, the policeman who, observing FIRE
first gives notice at engine station, receives reward
amounting TO about 80 SO, and still another reward is
given the engine which hrst appears on the ground
Arrived al the Of the fire, at the hose OF the
engine is applied 10 the street plug; Tor the water
panes only obtain charters condition OF giving all the
water which is needed for fires free OF cost suitable
band OF for working the engines rs soon gathered
from the crowd by offering tveny-four cents for The first
hour, twelve for the next, and besides FEAST Of
bread and cheese and ale TO wind Oh with twenty or
thirty men are needed work each engine, but FIRE
never yet occurred in London where there lack OF
men for hire these terms
The trained remen attend TO all the dangerous parts
OF the service and the laborers merely work the
engines The brigade men, as they are called, wear
compact Dress with sd leaihen helmet 10 protect the
head and often make courageous and dangerous attacks
upon the devourng element If tits necessary to enter
room full Of smoke and flames, fireman with smoke.
proof dress enters at 10 The OF the pered OBJ
ect The work goes cooly, bat with wonderful des-
patch and when all is over, all parties who have
worked adjourn TO the nearest public house to parake oil
the before hand barganedot bread and cheese and ale
The FIRE brigade belongs 10 eighteen twenty in.
surance companies and has fifteen sixteen stations
There superintendent and captains, and the men
promoted according 10 their energy and trustwohi
ness We need not add that they paid WELL and those
employed who Stout strong, and foil Of experness
Here is OF the great advantages they have the
members OF the fire companies in American towns, who
do not make il their business They generally per.
OF ordinary strength, and can never be skfu
men who make the putting out OF fires profession.