Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-17

The iremens training school is an ad-
1unct OF the Bugcau OF Fire Of which the
general Philadelphia public has little II
any knowledge.
Yet tho curriculum Of that institution in
structs the fireman scholar in details OF his
work that equip him in many lines Of duty
far more important than the extinguishlng
Of flames and the saving OF property.
Hidden away back Of the headquarters
sf engine Company No. 23, on Seventh
street. above Norris, the school OF instruo-
den, like the rest Of the Bureau OF Fire,
attracks little attention until its members
are called UP and then It adequately rises
70 the occasion.
II Is open TO the public, but the public
doesn't seem aware OF II any more than
Il bestowed attention upon the fact that
the nremen OF Philadelphia are today tho
poorest paid and most intelligently trained
OF any body Of men performing like duties
In the first-clRss cities OF America.
Organized little more than three years
ago the school already has transformed the
working force of the bureau into a more
efiiclent, intelligent and capable body Of
men
BIG PROPERTY SAVING
The saving accomplished in property and
lives since the school was organized IL
incalculable. and even greater efficiency Ia
planned by those in charge.
The first idea inculcated in the mind OF
the newly made fireman is revolutionary II
one measures by commonly accepted stand
ards.
He is taught that his first duty Is not
20 extinguish the fire TO which he is sum
moned.
Foremost comes the saving OF human life.
LNaaa - lNzZ
Ing buildings Is the first subject in the fire.
mans school His own safety is secondary.
Before water is laid on" the hoseman must
so into the smoke and fame and assure him
self no human being. sensible or insenBl-
Bile, yet remains such a victim must be
no delay. The saving Of property and ex-
tinguishing OF tho flames may come next,
but It is never paramount
THREE YEARS WORK
The training school I'm it's three years ex-
Iatence has graduated $50 members. IL is
IN charge OF Battalion Chief George W.
Noodle commander OF the second, or fire
belt" district. who has as instructors Cap
tains James Gilbert and Anthony McGrann.
sessions are held twice daily. at a. m.
and ] p. m except Saturdays and Sundays.
There are two classes. one containing
sixty and the other sixty-hve men, The
term is completed in forty DAYS covering a
period OF three months. Every man In the
service below the rank OF captain IL obliged
70 undergo instruction, and most of the
captains have been voluntary pupils
The details are so arranged that not more
than one man from a company is "at
school, at the same time. AZ tho end OF
the course, which embraces rescue work,
hose and ladder work, hrst-aid treatment,
knots and hitcheH and tools, the men are
put through an examination. This test in
wolves also high pressure. general knowl.
edge, proficiency as hose and ladder men,
aptitude for IRE service, as we'll as the
subjects previously enumerated. A certlh-
cate rewards the successful student upon
graduation.
There is no extra pay--no time of for
this additional efficiency work. Ohlcers
and men in the ranks donate their services
that the citizens of Philadelphia may get