The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-22
Captain Russell
 Addresses Convention
Bremen to Close Session To-day-Chief Heitman
 Reelected Director

for vocational training, through the director of vocational training o1 the state board of education.
 essions-Courses may be held al a central point in the state, in the spring or fall. Sessions of from two to four days, this being governed by the length of the course de- sired. It is believed that a plan may be worked out to take care of the condition that arises from men working under the two platoon system" now in operation in many departments. With a session in the spring and one in the fall 1t would allow those working under the above system to have an opportun- ity of obtaining the instruction of the course.
 The fact that fremen are par ticipating in a course of this kind is bound to elevate their prestige in their respective communities. The credit for the establishment and continuance of the short courses is due to the firennen them- selves, as they realize the need of, and have, demanded and secured the means to receiv this method of education.
 In New England we must com mend John s. Caldwell, secretary of the New England Insurance Ex- change of Boston, for 1t was he who brought before the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs club at their meeting in January of this year the fact that | 1t was time that consideration should be given to further educa- ton for firemen along the lines as conducted by short courses or fire colleges of other states, where this type of work is being carried on with so much success.
 The record for the year ending March 1881, shows that courses were conducted in 25 states, with an enrolment of over 10000 fire- men attending. These courses have the endorsement and support of the following: The Federal Board of Vocational Training, the Ma tional Board of Fire Underwriters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs. the International As- sociation of Fire Fighters, National Automatic Sprinkler association. Underwriters' Laboratories, Factory Mutual Inspection Department, United States Bureau of Mines, United States Bureau of Chemistry, These organizations and bureaus have taken part In the instruction given at many of the courses.
 At Boston in June of this year, the subject of Education for Fire men was given a place on the pro- gram at the Ne wEngland Asso. ciation of Fire Chiefs convention.
 Ono entire morning session was devoted to the reading of papers and their discussion. with such men as Thomas Dougherty, acting chief of New York, John Evans, chief of New Orleans. La. Chief Evans being n member of the Fire School committee from .his state.
 Chief Joseph Sullivan of Utica, W. Y, president of the Interna- tional Fire Chiefs Association, also Chief John Mulcahy of Yonkers. ". r., secretary of the Intcrna- tional. together with Fred Shep- perd, editor of Fire Engineering, and John $. Caldwell, secretary of the N. E.. Insurance Exchange of Boston.
 At the close of the discussion the following vote was past having been offered by Secretary John O'Hearn:
 Vote: That committees headed by John s. Caldwell and the state vice. presidents of all the New England states be a commit tee to start Immediately on this program, for the time has arrived. the fall Is coming and vacations will be over and that is the time we should get to work and get studying. I don't think we should let another year go by. but should give this committee this matter for immediate consideration.
 The records of the Registers of had a chiefs in attendance at the convention.
 Summary of work done on surs vey in connection with course in state.
 Tn March of this year President Whelan of this association was consulted in regards to conduct- ing survey with reference to the organization of some sort of . school for further education of firemen in this state.
 After going over the question with President Whelan, 1t was de- cided to prepare letters and en- closing in each 6 copy of the ad. dress given before the Massachu- setts Fire Chiefs Club, bysJohn s. Caldwell and send the same to the officers and members of the exec- utive committee. This was done. Aconference was held with the al. rectors of vocational training of the State Board of Education to asccrtain his opinion as to the project.
 Men prominent in fire depart ment, insurance. and civic fields were consulted with, and the re. suits of all conferences were most 
 Tn April at q meeting of the ex- ecutive and legislative committees held in New Haven, the outline and operation of short courses as conducted in other states was given.
 At thjs meeting the rpatter was placed In the hands of the legts. lative committee for consideration.
 It is at the request of the 0ffi- nars n (tha aaanrla tinn anA thA IaR.