Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-20

from Chief Davis down. either has or
will have to take a course in the school.
Besides having the theory Of fire fight
ing fully cypounded. the students are
put through practical drill IN every
phase of the science possible. without
actually burning down building.
The course lasts several weeks. and
Is worked on period system 80 de-
vised that the men can still do their
fire duty without missing any portion
OF the course. The men are usually
eager for the work, as increased eff
cheney means decr6Ised likelihood oil
death at their work. For this reason
the men give half Of the time and the
city gives half the time necessary to
complete the course.
Many phases Of fire fighting that
would not ordinarily occur to the lay
mind are taught in the school cour0e.
There Is the science of tying knots. the
use OF tools. and Of course the obvious
ladder, hose and Ak work. The physical
drill and the first aid instruction oc-
cupy many long periods of study.
Other Cities Follow Plan
The work Of the school has been so
successful that other cities have sent
members OF their departments to study
and have established similar institutions
when their students returned. The
United States Marine Corps. the Navy
and the Bethlehem Steel Works have
also sent men here TO learn to instruct
their fire fighting forces.
Louisville. Cincinnati and Camden
have sent men TO take the full course
but there are few days during the time
the school is in session that men do
not come from other cities to look the
work over and get hints of new methods.
Many types Of new and old equip
ment are handled by the men daily. and
they are drilled thoroughly in their use
One Of the most interesting is the
breathing apparatus. This device is
not unlike the gus mask used in the
war. but Of much more elaborate
nature. The head of the wearer is
completely inclosed and a pump closes
a rubber pad alright around his face.
An oxygen tank and mixing appa =
ratus supply the man pure air and will
do so for ninety minutes.
The breathing apparatus is used for
getting into places where the smoke is
too thick for human life TO survive, and
for rescue work in fumes of ammonia
or acids that would kill the fire fighter
if he breathcd them. The apparatus
weighs twenty two pounds, but the
weight IL scientifically distributed and
does not much hamper the man carrying
It, When man goes in with one of
these devices a life line is tied around
his waist so that he can be dragged out
in case of accident. He also uses the
rope to signal those outside of the con-
ditions within.
1868 Have Taken Course
After brief vacation period the
school will open its fortieth class on
September | During the time that it
has been in operation. 1868 students
have passed through the school OF
these 1852 were from the Bureau of
Fire. four from the United States Gov
ernment, one from the Cincinnati Fire
Department two from the Louisville
Fire Department; two from the BPthle-
hem Steel Company and two from the
Camden Fire Department.
The technical side of the work means
little to an onlooker but there is some
thing inspiring in seeing the 1.-THE forms
slip up the ladders and the earnestncss
with which the students work gives the
impression that there really are flames
in the tall tower they use for practice.
Behind it all is the Philadelphia
theory that the place to fight fire is at
the base of the flames. and constantly
urging voices and well -worded lectures
impress on the men the necessity of
risking their lives for others, bending
their heads behind the curtain of spurt-
ing water and forcing the stream at the
very spot that hurts the fire demon the
most.