The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-25
Bomb Defense Plans
 Completely Revised
Air Raid Wardens Must Learn New Technique; Ex.
 perts Complete Experiments OCD Announces

warned again and again never to direct Q stream of water on an in- cendiary bomb or there would be e serious explosion. Instead, they were told, the water shouh be sprayed.
 The OCD announced the changed technique in the following memo randum:
 More extensive practical afraid experience abroad and exhaustive recent tests conducted in this coun- try have made 1t clear that certain changes should be made in the O. C.. D. instructions covering methods to be followed in dealing with the two- pound magnesium fire bomb. This revision is considered desirable be- cause:
 "(3 Speed in disposing of fire
 bonEs Is known to be essential for
 a successful defense against in-
 cendiary fires. Several bombs
 commonly fall in & single home or
 other occupancy, and if too much
 time is spent in diSposing of one
 bomb others may be given the
 opportunity of starting uncon-
 troIlable fires. The quickest pos-
 s!ble way of dealing with bomb
 is by using jet of water since the
 jet does in 8 matter of seconds,
 the work that requires several
 minutes when the spray technique
 is used. By using jet, several
 bombs lying near by can be dealt
 with before any of them has time
 to do material damage. "(2) Immediate attack upon the
 bomb may prevent the action of
 a burster attachment thus remov-
 ing it's danger to the person fight
 ing the bomb.
 "(S) By using the jet the operator
 can attack the bomb quickly and
 the chance of fire being started
 under the bomb is substantially
 reduced.
 "(D The undue emphasis thus far
 placed upon the bomb has direct
 ed the attention and thinking of
 civilians to the bomb and not to
 the real danger-the fire started
 by the bomb.
 "(5 The effect of the reaction that
 takes place when water strikes
 burning magnesium has been mis-
 interpreted to consist of an ex-
 plosion which may cause personal
 injury and increase the fire haz-
 ard. This exaggerated conception
 of the 'terrors' of the bomb has
 instilled unjustif1ed fear which
 must be changed to a feeling of
 confidence on the part of civilians
 in their ability to cope with
 bombs. Due to the directional
 force of the jet the scattering
 of the metallic fragments is away
 from the operator and, therefore,
 his personal danger is minimized.
 Moreover, the operator can stand
 farther away from the bomb when
 using @ jet than he can when
 using the spray.
 "(6) The amount of water required
 to dispose of bomb by the jet
 technique is much less than half
 that needed for the spray treat
 ment. Under certain circum-
 stances this economy of water
 may be of vital importance.
 "The general tenor of the revised is as follows, though exact wording will be changed as circumstances require:
 "1n dealing with fire bombs, 1t is to remember that the fire started by the bomb, and not the bomb itself, is the real danger. Hence, never devote attention to the bomb at the risk of allowing the fire to ge beyond control.
 "Water Is the best agent for con trolling both the fire started by the bomb and the bomb itself It Is best applied to both in the form of a jet or solid stream, and not in the form of g. spray. With jet of water supplied by suitable device, such as B garden hose, Stirrup pump, pump tank. or other water-type extin- quisher, the bomb can be quickly put out of action, leaving the oper- ator free to deal with fires started by the bomb.
 "To put the bomb out of action, shoot the water jet right at the bomb. Don't be frightened by the flash of light and scat tering of metal, which will occur when the jet hits burning bomb An instant later nothing Is left but scattered fragments and an un- burned part of the bomb. These. together with the fires that have been started, are easily quenched with the jet.
 "The scattering of the. bomb may also forestall the action of a burster charge which may be attached to the bomb. The use of the jet per- mits the operator to stand well away from the bomb, but for in- creased safety, some personal pro- lection. such as that provided by an lid, small chair, or wet blanket, is desirable.
 Tn certain unusual situations, where there are concentrations of highly flammable materials, 1t may be essential to avoid scattering burning metal. Use 8 spray on the bomb only in such instances. While water Is by far the best weapon for use on bombs. there are two sttua- tons where sand will be useful: CD if the bomb is where it is not likely to start fire. sand may be dropped upon 1t, preferably contained in 8 sand bag; CD, if no water is avail able, the bucket-and-shovel sand technique may be used.
 When all fires are out, be abso- lutely sure that there are no smold- ering remains that might flare up again.
 "The revis!ons recommended here are supported by the following doc- material:
 "(e) Report on series of tests con-
 ducted by the Chemical Warfare
 Service, U. s. Army, at the War
 Department Civilian Protection
 School. University of Maryland.
 "The tests were concerned with of 8 solid jet of water on a magnesium incendiary bomb. The summary of the tests. the con- clusionG reached. and the recoms