Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-05-11
FIRE EXT|NCU|SHERS
USELESS IN schools
Superintendent Scott Also
Thinks One Fire Drill a
Month Is Sufficient
REGRET DEATH OF
BURNED TEACHER

Ina report 20 the Board OF Education
last night, Superintendent G. !. Scott
opposed the use Of fire eNtinguishers m
the public schools. declaring that in case
of FIRE teachers and ianitors should de.
vote all their energies to getting the
children out of the buildings
"Tbc present agitation in favor Of in
stalIing fire eNtingushcrs in our public
school buildings is the result Of the COM
mcndable desire on the part of the pub
H. 70 place about our boys and girls
every safeguard against any dangers
that might threaten Them while in at
Tendance IN our schools. To most peo-
pie who have had no experience in the
administration of schools IL would natu.
rally appear that where 40 many chill
dren arc gathered there should be adc-
quatc equipment for the fighting of FIRE.
CHOSE of as who have given the sub
icct much thought or who have learned
from experience. realize that there is an
other side to this question that should
be discussed. The presence IN school
buildings % fire eXtinguishers may con
stituto real danger to the safety Of
pupils. think IL is well that both sides
Of tho question be presented for the
parents consideration.
"Should fire be discovered in a
school building the first and whole
duty of the principal and teachers is
10 Immediately remove the children
from the building Any attempt on
their part TO first try TO eXtinguish tho
nre is criminal neglect of their duty.
The presence of FIRE extinguishers
would offer the opportunity for them
10 do so. Should any teacher become
engaged in fighting a fire she must
leave 10 themselves her children.
When Il Is learned If the fire may BIZ
controlled or not is often too late TO
save the children All this, too. ap-
plies to the jsnitor II he finds the
building afro. II Is his duty TO sound
tho alarm for the fire drill. which is
familiar to every pupil and often
practiced in every one of our schools.
11c must not attempt to first extin-
ruIsh the fire. After sounding the
signal he is TO assist in removing the
children and in keeping them safe
distance away from the building. In
nearly every instance where children
have suffered because OF a burning
school building. the disaster was occa-
stoned more from panic than from
burning. The school principal and
teachers must guard against panic as
efficiently as against burning. Even
small fire easily put out or any
smoke In the school building Is likely
TO so brighten the children that their
welfare demands the whole and con
slant attention of their teacher. There
Is much danger in offering the oppor-
funity 10 teachers and ianitors to at
tempt to save the building instead OF
saving the children.
This plan OF action may make il
seem that we are too little concerned
with the prevention OF the destruction
OF the city's property We have no
rigk to ask women teachers and chill
Ia TO fight fire at the risk of their
The only wise plan Is for them
IL Immediately leave the building and
<hcn send in an alarm to the city's
&c department and leave the saving
the building to trained. and equip
ID hremen.
J Mr.. Scott said the school rogula-
a Inns called for a FIRE drill each month
II was the duty Of the superinten-
mt TO see that the regulation was
: carried out lie declared that the
criticism made in the newspaper that
few FIRE drills were held was a direct
accusation OF his neglect OF duty. lie
said he received a report yesterday
as 10 the exact number Of fire drills
held In the schools thus far this school
year, a period OF eight months.
The report was as follows:
No. ! -: No. 2. 8: No 3. s.. No. 4
II. No. s. 70; No. s. 70; No. Z. g;
No. s. No. .. 90: No. 10. II; No. II
s: No u. 10: No. IS. s; No "a. 10,
No. IS. S; No. IS. II: No. N. IA: No
is. 8; No. 10. Is; No. 20. Is; No p
s: No. p. 2: No. %. s No -. Is: No
rs. s: No. 26. IA: No. "a. s: No. 2S. s.
No. 20. Is: No. 80 10. Total 345.
"The rules and regulations of tho
Board OF Education require a fire drill
in each school building each month
This rule has been complied WITH anC
in many cases the principals hav'
given many more drills than required
] believe one fire drill each month Z,
be sufficient to keep pupils familiar
with the special manner of dismissal
and enable them to leave the building
promptly and orderly"
hr. Scott said the High School wa
not included in the report hut that h
had Witnessed the drills there an,
had rung the gong for one there yes
ferday. when the 200 children wer
gotten out Of the building in tw,
minutes.
DR.. Thomas O. Cooper said tina
during the past week q very seriou
accident had occurred which had re
suited In the death of Miss Abigai