The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-30

The Fire Department. ~ Paz4s.
The IRE department Of Paris Il. In every sense OF
The word, military organization. The members
are enlisted like soliiers have pay rations, and
barracks, like the gendarmsrie, or municipal guard,
and are subject to constant discipline The MEM
oess are chosen as much possible from the class
OF mechanics and laborers-such mAsons, carpen.
ters, plumbers, &c.-as these mon are acquainted
with the construction Of the different parts Of o
building, the walls floors, roof &c.; and they are
also accustomed to work In elevated positions with
out fear and adrot in their movennts In places
where Others would be able to do nothing. They
are required to understand reading and writing in
order that they may be able to instruct them
selves from books regarding their arduous pro.
fession, and also be able to make reports.
They are required to be sober and temperate,
"a by an irregular life, drunkenness or gaming they
would necessarily make more expense than their
pay would permit, and would thus be tempted TO
theft or plumber while in the exercise Of their
cation. They are also required TO be robust, agile,
and In good health in order that they may act with
effect.
Immediately on their arrival at FIRE, they are
absolute masters of the locality all objects of value
remain at their disposition and under their charge,
still such is the good character OF the men and the
discipline under which they kept that there is
very seldom an example Of punishment. The Off.
Gers and men are uniformed, and subjected to the
sanne rules as in the army every movement is by
order from the officers, and the men on duty at fire
under the same discipline as soldiers on field
OF battle and any neglect disobedience Of orders
As punished the same Soldiers Of the line are often
recompensed for good conduct by being transferred
10 the corps of Sapeurs Pompiers as the FIRE depart
ment is named 1t often happens that sons of officers
of the army enlst n the corps of Sapeurs Pompiers
but simple soldiers, because to be an officer in
this corps requires experience and knowledge. The
officers are generally chosen from the corps Of en-
gineers and artillery Of the army, and after sufi
Gent experience become acting officers Of the corps
The commandant is a member Of the staff Of the
army
The corps Is furnished with great variety Of ap-
paratus, The pump, or what would be called the
engine in this country, is essentially the Same as
kbat in here, consisting Of two cylinders, Ave
inches in diameter, and an air chamber the
brakes are worked by eight men, and with dis
charge pipe Of six-tenths Of an inch diameter,
1he stream may be thrown one hundred feet
high. But although essentially the same. these
machines do not at all resemble the splendid, but
heavy, numbering engines dragged through the
streets Of the American cities by from fifty to hun
dred men and boys with noise sufficient to disturb
khe very paving stones. The machine consists Of a
platform, to which the cylinders and air chambers
arc fastened, the whole placed on two wheels, and
Hdrawn by three men. These pumps are con-
Etructed very perfectly and carefully.
II has often been recommended to make use OF
larger pumps This is matter which might be dis
cussod In throwing water great distance, and in
spray. and this is almost Immediately converted into
steam on arriving as tho fro The steam is convert
cd by the heat into the two gases, hydrogen and
oxygen which both serve to increase the fire. The
combustion Of wood Is SIMPLY the combination Of the
carbon Of the wood with the oxygen Of the air. pro-
ducing carbcnic acid and carbonic oxide gases. At
the same time part of the hydrogen and carbon
contained in the wood unite, forming carburetted
hydrogen, which burns, producing the fame. The
manner In which water effects the eKtinguishment
Of the flame Is in preventing the contact Of the air
with the wood. thus cutting off the supply of
oxygen, which alone supports the combustion II
is necessary therefore, that the water should arrive
In undivided state and with force. on the burn
ing portions, in order to penetrate much as pos
sbse the pores Of the wood. For this il is also nc
cessary that the man who directs the stream should
~ 10 ucoE % POociOc W VIC utcs tutls tue
distance to be passed by the water short. and in
suTing the arrival in solid body. This is the rea-
son for the employment Of small-sized pumps, but
Of course they are required in greater number The
men do not stand on the ground and throw the
EtTesu into the windows, is practised here, bat
endeayor in oil cases to place themselves o. near as
possible TO the FIRE.
It is always sought to attack the fire at the most
NJ tho ind ord <ha ho:r-
served long possible, in order TO prevent the
inuK Of currents of air To effect this, entrance is
grained possible by the basement and by the stairs
hose being taken In and the men thus approach the
Ore o. near a. possible. In case OF necessity the
mea who enter are furnished with blouse which
covers the head and shoulders, and is tied at the
waist The head is furnished with eye pieces, like
Abe submarine armor and the supply Of air is fur
nished by hose leading to an air pump.
By the aid of this, man may penetrate into
room Allied with smoke and gases with the greatest
facility This il of great use in cases of fires in cell
la where 1t Is of the greatest importance to keep
khe exterior cir excluded, and where, by reason Of
the smoke and gasscs, man unprotected would be
Briocated instantly The chief care of the man d.
roofing the stream is with regard to the parts
est the FIRE, but not yet in6amed, thus preventing
the Hre from spreading, and saving valuable por-
1aous instead OF those nsa consumed he Hso pays
and those portions by which communication may be
preserved throughout the building and also those p0r
Lions which sustain Others, pillars and columns and
also 70 localities enclosing combustible materials;
also the doors and windows. II there Ia wind, he
Days particular attention to those portions towards
which the flames are borne, thus striving to save
those portions stI intact and at the same time to
prevent the spreading of the flames. These princi-
bles are well understood, and practioed by the men,
bers Of the corps, and It h the business OF the Of
6cers to instruct them on these points.
They are supplied with books, and are exercised
ht mock fires, In which all tho phases Of real fire
hze presented, and they thus rendered skIllful
kaken against fire. Large reservoirs are placed at
HE top Of the building, and also in the basement
Pumpe are also placed in the basement, furnished
with tubes leading to the upper reservoirs. These
kubee ere provided At each door with openings, and