The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-31
STATE FIRE
 HEADS UNITE
 -~-e--------.--~---a---- Organization Known as Fire Prevention Association of State Formed Here
 Yesterday.
BRIDGEPORT MAN AT HEAD
Joseph Kegclmeyer Named as Vice. President-Objects of Assocla- ton Definitely Set Forth
 at Meeting,

The new Fire Prevention Assocla- tion of Connecticut, whose member ship is to be open to practically all persons interested in fire service mat ters. was formally organized at session held yesterday afternoon in the chamber of commerce hall In this city. There were about twenty-five of pres ent or past fire service officials from Bridgeport Hartford, Waterbury, New Britain, Merlden, Walllngford, Nauga- tuck. Bristol and this city at the meeting at which officers of the new organization were first chosen The meeting yesterday was the result of a conference held In this city of small number of fire officials at which this organization was talked up. The organization now takes definite and permanent form.
 The officers elected are:
 President--A. IT. Bullard, president of the Bridgeport board of fire com missloners.
 -Presldent-- Joseph Kegelmeyer, president of the New Haven board of fire commissioners.
 secretary-S. J. Metager, clerk of tho New Haven board Of fire commls- sioners.
 Treasurer Horace R. Clark, mem ber of the Hartford board of fire com missioners,
 Board of dlrectors-The officers and Commissioner Leopold DeLeeuw of Hartford. Commissioner Charles l. Well of New Haven. Commissioner F. A. Strong of Bridgeport, Chief Howard L. stanton of Norwich, Commissioner II, w. Minor of Waterbury, Chief H. w. Parker of Stamford, Chief George s. Pitt of Middletown, ex-Chlef J. M. Chatheld of Thomaston, ex-Chlet J. W. Hefferon of Rockville. ex-Chief C. F. Leonard of Willmantlc and ex- Chief W. B, Thomas of New London.
 The objects of the association, as set forth in short report presented by a committee chosen at meeting when an informal organization was formed and as adopted at yesterdays session. are two-fold, "the prevention of fires by the enactment of state laws and the enforcement of said laws" and "to arrange for mutual assistance in cases of emergencies" Membership is open to past and present fire commission CTS, fire chiefs. fire marshals. fire war dens, building inspectors and other authorities in charge of local fire ser vice"
 While notices of the meeting had been sent generally about the state many of those notified were unable to attend, those present being:
 New Haven-Presldent Kegelmeyer, Commissioners J. B. Cunningham. C.. |. Wei. cs-joni,iii5siioTiaT ';'' f,'' !;;, A!:;; and w. E. Morgan, and A. (. Hem drick. Chief k. R. Fancher, Fire Mar shal J. q. Gladwln, Building Inspector J. F. Austin. and Clerk s. q. Metzger
 Hartford-Cimmissio Leopold DeLeeuw and Horace E. Clark, Dopu- ty Chief Augustus Loomis.
 Bridgeport--Commissioners A. H. Bullard. Frederick A. Strong, A. A. Doty. Chief Edward Mooney, ex-Com- ! mlSSloner Ln II. Lyon,
 New Britain-Chief R. M Dame, Clerk A. F. Magnell.
 Meriden-Chief Owen Horan. Watorbury--ChiefS S. C. Snagg.
 Walllngford-Ex Chief David Ross. Naugatuck- Ex-Chief j. B. Fuller
 Brstol-Chief H. P. Norton
 The meeting was presided over by President Bullard of Bridgeport. tho temporary president, later elected pres idcnt of the formal organization A number of those present spoke in en- dorsement of the idea of organizing the association, which originated with l Commissioner Bullard, and letters in l further endorsement were read from l President Charles F. Parker of the Hartford commission Commissioner A. P Dossin of Meriden. x-Commissionei R w. Dwyer of Hartford Chairman Kenney of the New Britain board was reported as favoring the organization and similar reports were made in be- \ half Of men from other places who were unable to attend.
 Ex-Chief Hendrick of New Haven made an address, in which he spoke on the need of having wires under ground having inspections of property by fire men, keeping matches out of the way of children, a safer method of celebrat- ing the Fourth of July and the regula ton of bonfres and the burning o rubbish. Printed matter relating tt fire dangers and precautions, hC thought, should be circulated among all classes and in the languages best un. derstood He felt that the task before the association was not an easy one but believed 1t should have the co. operation of all good citizens, as well as city officials,
 The list of directors was prepared by q committee, consisting of Chiefs Fan cher and Snagg and ex-Chief Hen drick and as many of those named were not present, the president was empowered to fll vacancies, if any of those chosen could not serve. The dues were made the nominal sum of one dollar,
 President Bulard will call a meeting of the directors in a short while, to consider the preparation of bills for presentation to the legislature and also for arranging some plan for mutual as- sistance in case any locality has fire too big for the local department to handle unalded. In connection with this will be taken up the coupling pro- blem and the best way of meeting that difficulty. as many places have coup- I ling that will not fit the hydrants else where Meantime, it was requested I that anyone having suggestions tc make regarding needed legislation ad- dress Clerk Metzser of New Haven or the subject