Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-07

The protection Of city and its in
hAbitants from the rayages of fire 1s
one Of the matters that demands the
FIRST attention from the community.
Fire Is the cause OF more damage In the
weirld than any other element and 1t Is
necessary, very necessary, that every
settlement no matter how small or how
large, should have efficient protection
from this element. Among other es-
eentials speed II, answering the call OF
the alarm Is an important factor that
should not be overlooked and the
necessity of proper equipment Is at
once apparent. No matter how soon q
department arrives at q fire, II 1t Is
hampered by not having the proper
tools with which to work its value Is at
once reduced and the service cannot be
Of the same class that it otherwise
would. Thus we find it is essential that
city have proper equipment, which
includes running gear horses and men.
A proper supply of hose is also neces-
sary and the fire is often subdued by
chemicals judiciously applied.
With this word preferatory it is suf-
fcient to state that the Augusta fire
department complies with all the above
requirements VI ali CiiNltHL ilIC pho-
tective service, something that the citi-
zens Of this city should take great pride
in. 1t Is matter of note that the
service given is appreciated and the
merchants and householders are thor
Oughly alive to the value of the present
system, that is headed by Chief John A.
Buckley. For more than 20 years Chief
Buckley has been a member of the de-
h
ne has been chief he has always been
at The front in fires, giving directions
and planning ways and means of eX-
tinguishing the flames in a manner that
left no doubt regarding his ability as q
fire fighter.
Many Of the 1remen are paid the
nominal salary of s35 a year to hold
themselves in readiness to fight fire
when the need arises and though they
may be attending some evening func-
ton, it Is notable fact that they always
respond with speed when the fire whis-
tie blows its hoarse note of warning.
It cannot be for the money then that
they serve on the fire department. for
one run might spoil more clothes than a
whole years salary would pay for. AS
a writer has suggested, it may be for
glory. but many deem 1t a duty to help
protect the city from the most destruc
tive of the elements. fire.
A fireman lives In constant expectation
OF fires He Is never certain that his
tire Is his own. for when he least eN-
poets a summons the toot of the fire whis-
tie IL heard and tGen II Is Il case of hustle
into his clothes the few that lie stops e
put on IL ne chances to be undrcSsed, and
away to the fire lot foot.
The alarm may come late at night
when the fireman IL sound,y sleeping In
his comfortable bed up stairs. His WOO
boots. if re Is u driver. with trousers at
tached to their tops. are standing beside
his bed. rhe fireman wakes ut the frs
tap OF tho gong and jumps out of bed
pulls or the trousers with boots attaChc
and with one suspender over his shout
der runs fer the sliding pole The door:
closing the hole about the pole have al
;. ready opened at the first tap of tie alarm
and the fireman comes down tie poll
with rush. The driver finds his horse:
waiting under tho. harness for the strap:
from their stalls!tt the first alarm. which
threw open tie doors at the front OF then
stalls. There they stand showing in ev-
cry limb that they are anxious for the
run, with heads thrown high. awaitins
the arrival of the man whom they have
learned Is TO guide them to the scene Of
trouble. The harness Is suspended above