Evening star., 1897-01-23
PRAeT,ttw,ru TIRE met

of the soldier. The course also includes
emergency lectures by competent surgeons
Lectures are also given to assist the boy
in faniliarizing himself with the various
appliances of the fireman business. He
then learns the use of the ladder trucks,
with all the different ladders-straight lad
ders, extension ladders, roof ladders
handling the ladder dogs. the lifeline gun,
jumping nets life belts, life harness and
all the other appurtenances.
A hand engine, fully equipped for work.
and hose carriage furnished with all
the necessary noZZleS and couplings,
hydrant, gate goose neck reducers and
automatic shut-offS, are also provided
This rather elaborate but interesting
course preparation is completed in Decem-
Der. The regular practice begins on the
LIST of January. and about the 1st OF March
the battalion is prepared to begin the real
outdoor practice. and then the fun COM
mences- Each piece OF the fire department
apparatus Is under command of a boy
officer for the fire battalion is constituted
in the same manner the military organi-
zation. which is a feature of the same
school Each company has a captain,
lieutenant, a sergeant and corporal, and
orders are regularly issued TO the depart
ment and read al roll call.
Method of Work.
To become an officer is no empty honor
for the boy must have a satisfactory rec
ord for good conduct and good standing
IN his studies in the other departments of
the school; he must have been on drill a
year, and he must pass a rather severe
examination in military exercises, red
cross or emergency work and the handling
of fire apparatus. If successful he is made
a corporal, and promotions are neither
rapid nor easy
A wooden structure forty feet high, call
ed the fire-drin tower, has been erected
near the school buildings, provided with
window and her ODelingS. the general
plan Of a three-story house. Here every
Thursday afternoon an imaginary fire is
fought and imaginary rescues made. with
all the excitement and enthusiasm and
much of the practical knowledge and sense
of responsibility attendant upon a real
confagration- Or the arrival of the bat
TALON at the tower ladders are quickly
raised, lines of hose laid and water thrown
with skill and speed and relish which
speaks equally for the value of the work
as a manner Of training and a source of
fun. Som4;imes the lower part of the
drill tower is supposed TO be in flames. Then
the life gun IS called into use. An arrow
attached TO cord is shot up into the top
story, carrying a heavy rescue line to the
fancied victims. The gun used for this
purpose is a very powerful one, and the
brass-weighted arrow discharged from 1t
is never again seen Dy the battalion. An
emergency corps is always on duty at such
times, and one can imagine the youth COM
prislng this department insisting upon TAX
ing a share of the exercises by forcibly
restoring to consciousness and admins
terIns unpalatable remedies TO their un-
willing comrades, with that perverse but
enthusiastic enterprise so characteristic of
boys The boys who have the opportunity
to take this fire drill may. perhaps never
De called upon TO put their knowledge to
practical use. but they get from it a great
variety of beneficial exercises.
W nat is still more valuable, it induces
haoitS OF a!ertness and prompt obedience
capaci'y Ior instant and correct Judgment
in sudden emergencies, uuiekness in action
combined with eoolness and courage In
The midst OF confusion and danger-in
snort the sturdy, noble qualities which
cultivate ~