The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-11-13
FIRE PREVENTION HERE

risks, the means of protection are not
efficient by reason of neglect to drill
and keep up the organization of the
fire company.
Under conditions that have devel-
oped within the past few years by
reason of the car famine, most peo-
pie who have storage facilities, lay
in a supply of coal in summer for
the coming winter. Coal stored in
bins sometimes takes fire of itself,
and dampness in the bins adds to the
danger. In many cases the coal is
sprayed to keep the dust down while
it is being put in, and this stock of
dampness increases the risk OF fire.
Sometimes a leaky water pipe sends
a drip into the coal, and it generates
heat and a slow flame.
When painting is done and oily
rags are left even in an open room,
a rag folded or crumpled may start
a flame that will set the floor afire.
Avoid the use of gasoline, benzine
and other materials in the house,
and after using gasoline be careful
to air the room well. A pint of gas
oline evaporating in a room is liable
to load the air to the burning point,
and lighting match will envelop the
room in a sheet of flame that main
tains itself in great rigor for some
moments. Guard matches we'll, and
so long as there are mice about your
premises keep parlor matches where
no mouse can bite one or pick it up
and run, possibly lighting it by con-
tact with wall as he goes. Keep
matches away from the children if
possible.
If you have machinery in a build
ing and there is oil that finds it's way
from the machince to the wood floor
remember that is a menace. Find
some way to control it.
Each town makes it's own insurance
rates by the condition in which it
keeps it's property, it's streets and al
leys and it's fire fighting equipment.
Blackfoot has some fire equipment
but we need more efficiency. The
fire company is composed of busy
men, they receive no compensation
for their services, and there has been
little incentive for them to leave
their own work to drill. Even if they
were drilled, there is sure to be
someone absent each time there is
fire, and that breaks into the eff
fectiveness of the work. 1t often
happens that the one who is expected
to deliver the nozzle to the fire, is
absent, and when the water is turn
ed on there is long delay while
somebody goes back to the City hall
to get it. Then if a second hose is
put into commission, the same thing
is likely to occur. This kind of oper-
ating at fire suggests the necessity
of alternates so there will be sure
delivery of all the things needed.
Having expended our money for
equipment, we have only gone part
way in the steps to secure fire protec-
ton. We are likely to have some
fires the coming winter, and fire
drills sho Id be made before it grows
cold. On the occasion of the last de-
structive fire, the chief did not hear
the alarm, and there was nobody to
direct the work until after great sac
rifice of time.
1t might 10 we'll to install an cleo
trio device for ringing the fire bell
by means Of switch at the telephone
exchange, and have the fire chiefs
bedroom connected by a special wire
so he could be warned at the first
moment of the alarm.
Every person going to fire ought
to take one or more buckets or
fire extinguisher If he has one. II
the fire is near him he should fill
his buckets before starting. 1t is Gus
tomary in Blackfoot for lot Of
people to assemble and stand around
in the way, who go there with no
intention of rendering any aid. Some
of them look on and tell what ought
to be done, and sometimes get 80
noisy about it that those who are
working are confused by conflicting
orders and less is accomplished by
reason of their presence. In well
organized fire districts these "curb
chiefs" are not tolerated at all, and
If it were practical to arrest every
body who goes to a fire and does
not render aid, saving property or
extinguishing the fire, it would be
a good thing to enforce in Blackfoot.
Those who go to fire merely for
never will see themselves
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