The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-05-18

&Nz7S and fairly intelligent boy
MGIg Es who has arrived at the age
III ~ M when it 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 certain amount of
excitement in order to bring out his
best effort. Despite it's dangers and
life of rigid discipline, there is suf1i-
Gent adventure attached to it to make
1t satisfactory to one who prefers to
live in a condition of almost constant
expectancy.
So, If your boy is of venturesome
turn he can find in this work plenty
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
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, I shall make use of it
to Illustrate what am about to offer
in regard to the mode of procedure for
a young man who wishes to become a
professional fireman.
To get into the fire department of
New York your boy must be twenty
one to thirty years Of age, between
feet ~ and 6 feet 5 inches in height
and weigh between 40 and 1856
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 a general knowledge Of
it's government. There is also phys
ical 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 a vacancy he is made
probationer for 80 days. He spends
this month learning to tie knots, climb
ladders, use scaling ladders, rescue
people from burning buildings, etc.
Them If his progress has been salts
where he has been in training, to one
of the company fire houses to don his
uniform and 60 to work as a full
aedged fireman of the fourth grade. If
from feet ~ to feet inches in
height, he goes to an engine company;
If over feet 9, to a truck company
His pay for the first year, including
the probation month. will be $500.
All firemen, 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 quarter for each meal; if two
meals. two hours each; If only one
meal, three hours. Other time off
duty for firemen is four periods
month of 36 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 doing all that Ia 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 $1,40O the fourth. They are known
as first-grade firemen 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 ueutenant). This
covers, to quote the civil service rules,
1.-The writing of a report to 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" .a....
II your boy should aspire to be an