The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-03
THE NECESSITY OF INTER
CHANGEABLE COUPLINGS.
by L. o. 5. Dibble, Chief Orangeburg
Fire Department.

Inc great strides now being made
in our State in all branches of in
dustry, the increased population of
cities, towns and villages, the accu-
mutation of wealth and consequent
enhancement Of values on all sides,
especially in manufacturing and COM
mercial districts, together with the
general prosperity of our people is a
source of qualification to all Carroll
mans. Each citizen has his part to
perform in the up-build of our be-
loved State and "by their fruits ye
shall know them"
In the front ranks Of those who
have contributed in a very large de-
gree to conditions above mentioned
are the Firemen Of South Carolina.
Always on duty, night and day, win
ter and summer. rain and sunshine,
they stand as a solid phalanx when
destruction threatens the lives and
property Of their fellow citizens. By
their brave and prompt response to
the call of duty millions Of property
are annually saved from the devour-
ing elements and valuable lives pre-
served. Without them prosperity
would be short lived and instead want
and distress would prevail. Uneasy
would be the sleep of our citizens did
they not know that one cry Of Fire"
or one tap Of the bell brings imme-
diate assistance when life, home or
other property is about to be given as
a prey to the relentless flames. There
fore it is essentially necessary tha,
our firemen be supplied with modern
and up-to-date equipment and appa-
ratus with which to successfully COM
bat our common enemy.
To me has been assigned the dis
cussion of a very necessary addition
to the equipment of all fire depart
ments; namely, The necessity of in
terchangeable couplings.
Unfortunately our cities and towns
when installing water works and later
on fire hose seldom give any thought
to the thread of their hydrant and
hose connections leaving that detail
with the manufacturers from whom
they purchase, failing to remember
that at some future day they may be
called upon to help some neighboring
town or may themselves need assist
ance, then, at very great cost to
property holders the failure of out
side help to make connection owing
to difference in thread is very appar-
ent.
In order to avoid this very unfor-
tunate condition of affairs an inter-
changeable coupling, one side of which
corresponds to thread Of local de-
partment and other side to that of
neighboring city, should be part Of
equipment of all towns and cities.
With this coupling there is no trou-
bic in making immediate connection
when necessary.
No fire chief can tell when he may
have to call for help from his neigh
borS; most of us are inadequately
equipped to battle with confiagration
and when aid is called for we want
to be in position to use them, but if
they cannot couple up their coming
is in vain.
From the above, the necessity OF
INTERCHANGEABLE coupling is very clear
where ncighbOring towns have not
the same hose connections and the
department is very deficient in equip
ment without them. 1t is to my mind
very essential that Fire Chiefs in ad-
iacent towns at once adjust these
differences of couplings where neces-
Sary and 10y this means be in position
to aid each other when trouble comes.