The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-03-06
Hsw - Help the Plre Department

from the public. In fact, 1t is rather
understood that outside aid is wholly
undesirable. In Skowhegan, and most
other towns of Its size, the alarm sys-
tenn and other details are such that
the public has an important part to
| perform. Every adult should know
how to ring in an alarm and children
| should be carefully taught as soon as
| they are old enough to appreciate its
| importance.
When fire is discovered, run to the
nearest box. break the glass TO the key
box, open the door with the key, pull
down on the hook and LET co. You
| ought to know the location OF the
boxes so as to select the nearest one
without hesitancy. On the way to II
| be thinking over in your mind just
what to do. II you haven't anything
| about you with which to break the
glass to get at the key. pick up stone
or stick on the way. If nothing else
offers. pull off your shoe and smash
the glass with the heel The glass can
be broken with the hand but of
course there is some little danger of
IGCSlflh6 d Nut ny liib nCthON ~
open the door of the alarm box itself
the key Is used in the usual manner
The hook spoken of will be noted to
ward the upper part of the box and q
little TO the right. II is just as I'm
portant to let go as II Is to pull the
hook down. II the hook is held at the
lowest point the alarm will not be
correctly given.
| Remember the Department will not
know Just where the fire Is. Try and
| figure out what streets they will trav-
erse in getting to the box from which
| you sounded the alarm, and have
somebody stationed at the proper cor
ners to tell them just what route to
take. The chauffeur of the motor
chemical, going at full speed, and the
driver Of the fire horses with them on
the run. do not like to stop to inquire
the way at the corners. 1t not infre-
quently happens that they go by a
street which they should take for the
most direct route to the fire.
BY attending to the above details In
diligently. the public can be very
helpful in our fire protection program.
After the alarm has been sounded and
the fire department properly guided
to the scene of the trouble, the public
has one more duty. and that Is, MOT
TO GET IN THE WAY" Our fire
men are not very fussy about this, but
their work is often really nterfered
with by spectators who have to be
moved when line of hose is to be
swung around, and who are otherwise
in the wrong place with relation to the
fire and those who are trying to put
it out. There Is one more point which
ought to be touched upon. 1t Is not
impossible, Of course that an outsid
er may discover something upon
which information and advice ought
to be given to the firemen. Caution
is necessary, however, for in most in
stances the firemen know better than
others what is going on and what
course to pursue to subdue the flames. |
If you think you have discovered |
something of Importance deliberate on
it long enough to make sure you are
right. and then, awaiting time when
the fire chief can spare you min
ute's attention, tell him in few words |
what you think will help. Leave the
rest to him. DO not make it a matter
of argument and do not be hurt in
your feelings if he fails to act upon
your advice The boys under the he'll
NETS and in the rubber coats are so
often "pestered' with advice which,
although we'll meant, Is only trouble !
some. that you ought to be very care
full not to add to their difficulties.
The telephone may often be used
to advantage instead of the general
fire alarm especially for burning
out chimney or other so-called small
fires Under such circumstances, call
210, or if you do not remember the
number simply say to the operator,
Fire Department-Emer tell
the fire station man, who will answer
carefully, but in as few words as pos
sible, just where the fire Is lin whose
house or street etc., and the nature
OF 1t. Do not leave the phone until
he says. Goodbye" He won't keep
you long, but give him chance to
ask questions If he thinks he needs to.
Try not to get excited. Having made
use of the telephone, DON'T ring in
the general alarm unless the fire is
of considerable magnitude. They will
do that at the station II 1t Is thought
best. The use of the telephone in
stead Of the general alarm system will
often operate to call out the motor
chemical only. thus saving the town
a good deal of expense and the various
members of the fire department un-
necessary trouble. Information as to
a large and threatening fire can often
be given by telephone but the smaller
fires are better suited for notification
in this way Do not bother the fire
department with unnecessary calls.
BY all means, do not call them up to
ask where the fire Is. II they know,
they do not want to stop to tell you,
and IL they don't know, of course the
inquiry would be fruitless. Somewhat
as has already been referred to, re-
member you can be of great help in
assisting the fire department To locate
the fire. Having sent in the alarm by
telephone or otherwise, stand out In
front of the building where the fire
is, so that the fremen will know when