The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-05-19

" QW AS it ever occurred to you,
III father OF strong, active
MINI and fairly intelligent boy
RSlE who has arrived at the age
~ when 1t Is necessary for
him to make a choice of
his life work. that the occupation of
fireman presents certain attractive
features? This Is especially the case
when your boy Is of a temperament
which demands a certain amount of
excitement in order to bring out his
best effort. Despite it's dangers and
life Of rigid discipline, there is sufh-
ctent adventure attached to It to make
1t satisfactory to one who prefers to
live in condition Of almost constant
expectancy.
So, If your boy is of venturesome
OF opportunity for the exercise of his
bent-more even than would be likely
to come to him If he should enlist in
the army or navy. If he Is lacking in
nerve and stamina he should take up
a quieter calling, but If he has courage
he might look farther and fare not so
we'll.
Since fire departments in all large
American cities are conducted under
practically the same rules and regula-
lions, and because New York's fire
control system is regarded as model
for all others, shall make use of it
to illustrate what l am about to offer
in regard to the mode Of procedure for
young man who wishes to become
professional fireman.
To get into the fire department of
New York your boy must be twenty
one to thirty years Of age, between
5 feet 712 and feet inches in height
and weigh between 40 and 1876
pounds. His education need be only
the most ordinary, in arithmetic, in
Guiding long and short division, which
Is practically all there is to the test,
except some questions showing that
the applicant knows his city fairly
we'll and has general knowledge of
its government. There is also a phys
zeal examination, which is reasonably
but not excessively strict.
Having passed this test, your boy is
put on the eligible list, and as soon
as there is vacancy he is made
probationer for 30 days. He spends
this month learning to tie knots, climb
ladders, use scaling ladders, rescue
people from burning buildings, etc.
Then, If his progress has been salts
factory. he is sent from headquarters,
where he has been in training, to one
of the company fire houses to don his
uniform and go to work as a full
fledged fireman Of the fourth grade. II
from feet IN to feet 9 inches in
height, he goes to an engine company;
II over feet 9, to truck company.
His pay for the first year, including
the probation month, will be $500.
All flremen, from the highest off,
Gals down, sleep in the fire houses.
They are on duty constantly day and
night. except during time allowed for
meals. If they go out to eat three
times a day, they are allowed an hour
and a quarter for each meal; II two
meals. two hours each: If only one
meal, three hours. Other time off
duty for firemen is four periods a
month Of sc hours each and two of "a
hours. and they are also allowed two
weeks year under full pay Lieuten-
ants and captains are allowed three
weeks annual vacation and battalion
chiefs and deputy chiefs a month.
Their duties, besides handling the
hose, ladders, standpipes and other ap-
paratus and doinK all that is to be
done at fire, are to take care of the
fire house, horses and equipment; in
short, to do everything about the place
except washing the clothes and TAX
ing care Of the beds. All firemen pay
for their own uniforms.
The pay is advanced to $1,000 the
second year, to $1,000 the third, and
to $1,4O0 the fourth. They are known
as first-grade t1remen after having
served three years, and after working
six months in this grade they are
permitted to take an examination for
promotion to engineer or assistant
foreman (known as lieutenant). This
covers, to quote the civil service rules.
1.-THE writing Of report to a superior
officer on some designated subject:
knowledge of the administration, or.
ganization and discipline Of the fire
department.; knowledge Of the admin
istrative relations Of such department
with other branches Of the city gov
eminent; knowledge of laws or ordi-
nances relating to fire duty: knowl-
edge and construction Of departmental
rules and regulations; and such other
pertinent subjects as the commission
may prescribe"
If your boy should aspire to be an
engineer, he must learn to manage
the steamer, and he is allowed a Pc
Rod In a sort Of school to help out
in this. A similar rule governs ap-
pointment to pilot on a freboat. En-
sineers are paid $1,000 a year, and
pilots S1,50o. The promotion to the
grade of assistant foreman, or lieuten-
ant. is the one generally sought, as it
is in more direct line Of advancement
to- still higher positions, and now car
ries a salary of $1,000 annually.
After working six months as lieu
tenant your boy is eligible to take. the
examination for promotion to captain,
or foreman. q position which carries q