New-York tribune., 1901-03-15
FIRE BRIGADE OF GIRLS.
HOW A RECENT CONFLAGRATIoN AT BRYN
MAwR WAS HANDLED-"HOLDING THE
HOSE" on STUDENTS SHOULDERS.

The recent fire at Bryn Mawr College has called
p,lJir attention TO the efficiency Of the college fire
brigade and aroused interest in its methods Ihe
fire in question got under control in remark
ably short time There could hardly, indeed, have
been better test, for the house stood in the fur
thest part Of the campus and. being built OF wood
burned much more quickly than would any OF the
stone college halls. From the hose house TO thls
furthest point it is half mile, down one long hill
and up another and yet from the moment Pro-
feeeor Scott knew her house to be burning TO the
arrival of the hose was only ten minutes by the
watch This means. of course, that the college
men and the students nearest the spot started IN
stantlv on the sound Of the whistle, and ran full
sneed 10 the hose house. and then to the fire.
But the interesting thing to know is how these
college girls have learned conduct such matter
with equal speed, efficiency and coolness. II H.
they themselves say. chiefly matter OF organiza-
ton And how is this carried on? FIRST the presl-
dent of the college appoints as head fire captain a
rerson she Judges well fitted for the place. The
head fire captain appoints captain for each nail
and these six students responsible for the train
ing of the students In general. They receive pay
chiefly to emphasize their responsibility
Fverv resident in college is member of the fire
brigade unless excused for some good reason
Under the direction Of the head captain drills take
place in the halls and, less frequently. outside
The call within is given the hall fire bell. The
instant il rings every occupant of the hall rushes
out with wet towel This last is for use in case
of thick smoke As the students arrive they are
numbered up to twenty-five
The students know, of course, the duties assigned
TO each signal For example one and two are for
''draughts and warnings" This means the shut
ting of doors and windows and the certainty that
no one has missed the call; three and four, take
water buckets; five and six sand buckets F.:
seven and eight. 1.-The chemical extnguishers, etc,
the last numbers holding the hose" All those
who arrive after the completion of the required
number wait for orders from the captain who
sends them Of the hall or assigns them to duty
as she judges best.
The outside drills used to test the water
power by throwing water the buildings. In
case of fire of any Importance all students are
10 be instantly ordered out of the burning build
ing and only the college men or the men of the
faculty allowed inside Each of these bodies has
fire brigade of its own, that OF the being under
the direction of the head captain, who consults
with the captain of the faculty.
Holding the hose is important matter at the
beginning of fire. as while it is resting on the
shoulders of long line of students. under the di-
rection of one head. It can be moved instantly at
will a thing impossible with a heavy fire hose
lying or. the ground The head fire captain and
the faculty captain hereafter to white
olskin coats and helmets, that they may be easily
distinguished A mega phone will be used also for
giving orders. With the proper apparatus organf-
Zaton drill, the college fire brigade is protec
fion against fire which could hardly be bettered.