Imperial Valley press., 1922-08-25
CHIEF FERGUSON
FINDS new WAYS
0FICHT FLAMES

Fire Chief Charles +. Ferguson re
turned yesterday from an extended trip
to the coast, in the course of which ne
attended the convention of fire chiefs
in San Francisco, August 0 to 10. There
were three conyentions, according Ia
the chief, including the Goth annual
convention of the Pacific Coast Asso
citation of Fire Chiefs, the Golden Jub;-
lee convention of the International
Association of Fire Engineers and the
first annual convention of the Calif0r-
MIA State Association of Fire Chiefs.
While the conventions were held in
dcpendently they were attended BY
practically the same delegates, who
numbered nearly 700 together wit,
their ladies, and included chiefs from
all over the United States, Canada
Japan, China, Panama and Hawaii
The convention discussed recent
fire hazard, static electricity, which
was shown to be the cause Of many
garage and automobile fires, due 20
carelessness in filling gasoline tanks,
when the electricity often ignites the
gasoline. Fire losses due to using fire
crackers and other explosives in Fourth
of July and Christmas celebrations
reach enormous amounts each year, ac-
cording to fire statistics, and the con
vention appointed committee to en-
deavor to obtain legislation stoppin,
the manufacture of such articles
Will Oppose Explosive Film
Another fire hazard is the use OF
explosive film in moving picture house,
and the convention showed there is
only Il difference of hree-fourths OF
cent per foot between explosive and
non-explosive film. The association will
endeavor to procure legislation prohibit
ing the manufacture of the explosive or
cellulosc film after January J., 1925
Faucets at the rear of gasoline tank
wagons were shown to be responsible
for many street fires, when as re-
suit of collisions between the tanks aul
other automobiles, the faucets are open.
ed, flooding the streets with gasoline
which is often set afire by lighted
cigarette and cigar butts carelessiy
thrown into it. Over insurance as !:
cause of many fires proved to be a new
angle of fire hazard for the convention.
An effort will be made to have the legi.
lature pass laws compelling insurance
agents to ascertain the amount of III
esurance a man is carrying before SELF
ing him a policy.
Firemen Of World Present
The convention of the International
Association of Fire Engineers brought
together the most efficient assembly Of
fire fighters in existence, according to
Chief Ferguson, and was something he
would not have missed for anything
that could be given him.
During the contentious the dele
gates and their friends were royan =,
entertained by the people of San Fran
cisco and nearby cities" said Chief
Ferguson, ''and everything possible
was done for our convenience and com
fort. As member of the hospitality
committee, it was my privilege to meet
all the leading fire fighters in the
country and as the other chiefs remark
ed, / too brought home many ideas
with me, which we will endeavor to put
into practice in the FL Centre Fire Dc.
partment, which / learned at the cor.
vention has an enviable reputation
throughout the state among volunteer
and paid organizations Iii cities much
larger than ours.