The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-22
Middleton Has Made Re- markable Record With His
 Short-Handed Department
PREVENTION IDEA
 HAS BEEN STRESSED
Men Taught How to Extinguish Fires Without Causing Unnecessary Dam- age-Fire Inspectors Have Done
 Much Toward Preventing Loss

The most remarkable individual fire record of any city in the United States is the distinction of Birmingham Chief Middleton and his corps of l25 men with their motor driven apparatus have re- duced the fire loss for Greater Brming- ham almost 70 per cent The total fire loss for Birmingham for the year of 1914 was S1 25O,OO0. The total loss for the year of 1915. up until December l. amounts to $3S4,17S.16.
 Chief Middleton attributes his remark able record to the efficiency of his men, the cooperation of all citizens in the pre- vention of fires and the aid of the Fire Prevention association of Birmingham. of Seibles Real Estate and Insurance com pany is president.
 22O0 FIRES THIS YEAR
 The total number of fires for the year of 1914 was 2474 This year there have been 2200 fires, but the loss has been re- duced to less than one-third. This fact speaks for the efficiency and good Juds- ment of the fire department and shows that the fighting of fires in a sensible manner can save more than any other method known. The fire department has four inspectors, two of whom have been added in the past few days. whose duties are to visit all the sections of the city and instruct the citizens on the prevention of fires and on minimizing the risk by care and common sense. No trash is allowed to accumulate and no combustibles can be kept in a hazardous position in any store or dwelling.
 In speaking of the record made by his department this year, Chief Middleton said: 'I am very proud of the. record my men have made and I am sure the citizens of Birmingham are also glad to know they have a fire department capable of coping with any and all sorts of fires. The fire department at this time is just A men short caused by the cut last July. I have been able to get along very well de- spite this fact. but hope the commission CTS will see fit to give me more firemen as soon as possible.
 My main effort this year has been to teach the people how to prevent fires and what to do as soon as one breaks out The work of the inspectors has been excellent and every man in the depart ment has gone out of hls way at all times to tell the people about fire prevention. My organization is one of the smoothest running and most contented bodies of hard working men in the city. I must give all the credit possible to the boys who have fought so hard with me to stop these enormous losses every year. My policy in hiring firemen is to train them to be efficient and capable. The business of fighting fire is as scientific as any other.
 FIREMEN MORE EFFICIENT
 The fact that we have had as many fires this year as last and yet kept the loss way down can be attributed to the science of the fremen in using the water and chemicals. There Is little damage done these days by water. In other words, we go right up to the blaze and put the water and chemicals on the spot. At first it was hard to instill this into the men, but they soon got on to the idea of saving the property of man in his house and not using an excessive amount of water to put the fire out. Each man in the de- partment, every assistant I have and every citizen has helped me greatly this year in my efforts to prevent the bis loss of preceding years and the results speak for themselves.
 "One must remember that we have 4S miles of territory to cover and we only have 20 stations in all of Greater Birming- ham. In proportion to the area we have to fight fires in and the number of men as firemen we are more than 8 per cent short on f1remen and stations. No city