New-York tribune., 1903-05-17

is roilcall and the company is put through
urn oy Its captain Then there is hour of what
rs termed committee work. Each is assigned
TO some particular task, get the house the appa
ratus and the horses in trim the day. The
drivers groom their horses The two engineers
clean the engine The other fremen shine up the
harness. dry the hose of the tender. polish the
orass ratings and poles of the house and make
things shine An engine company consists of four
teen men generally-captain. lieutenant. two cngi-
neers and ten firemen. \ hook and ladder
pany consists of twelve men.
After the committee work all except the house
watch have nothing DO except wait for
alarm of fire They may sit in the recreation
on the top floor. where there are newspapers and
magazines. which they have bought among tnem-
selves. pool or billiard table card tables and
gymnasium. In hot weather they may stand in full
uniform In front of the house. but here they
permitted TO lounge
The house watch. as he is called. is the fireman
whom the passer by sitting a the desk
the door. Above him is the alarm bell and indica-
tor For the time that he has this duty he is next
in command to the captain. The other frenen
must treat him with respect. There are five
for the house watch. The first tour is from a.
10 p m, the second from o. m to p. m, the
third from D. m. to midnight. the fourth from
midnight TO a. m and the fifth from 6 a. m.
a n. All these tours performed by
each time with the exception OF the fourth tour.
Because this is six hours long, at time when the
rest ot the house is asleep. and a mans eyes
duty. so that one may rouse the other. This is the
watch that i fireman breads most only
does it drag slowly, but in its hours occur those
fires which reple1e with, loss of life.
Unless fatgued from loss of sleep the night be-
fore the strain of a hard days battle with
flames d fireman does not go to bed before O'Clock
at night Then he sleeps in flannel shirt, with
his '-turnouts' rubber boots. with the
stuffed into their tops ready by his bed, to jump
into. When the forced work most Of
ipnf TaaiT So'Cl
rocaH and lets them sleep. The employ
woman to for their beds and linen, who is
generally firemans widow that they want
help along"
Because of the strict discipline of the iremans
life he becomes athlete. He must cultivate
agility, speed is of the chief requisites of
the successful fire fighter. Modern frehouses pro-
vide him with baths overcome fatigue and take
the ache of his muscles. and the recreation
floor in the attic many companies have a gym
nasum where they devote their spare time TO
physical development. Nevertheless the very life
itself, without any such accessories gives spring
and strength and endurance to his body.
Speed is considered of such Importance in a COM
pany that the man who is ever left behind in a
dash for fire is regarded as in deep disgrace He
must report to the Commissioner or suffer the
sequences.
When do put on nv coat?" said a raw recruit,
who just about serve his probationary
in frehouse before donninG the uniform. These
fellows get out fast that don't how they
have chance TO put on their coats"
IF you stop to put your coat on" replied the
captain ''you'n get left Wait till you get the
engine for that
There is considerable rivalry between different
companies in the dispatch with which they able
reach fire.
We have never let another company pass
yet Will often hear captain say
The time taken for 4 TO leap from bed and
reach the apparatus or ground floor is from five
70 six seconds, or less than IL takes an average
business to open his eyes and his watcf IN