The Wilmington morning star., 1947-10-05

Dull uCkl1S LuS1l WOUliOo OfSA
the high fire loss in Wilmington
for the first six months Of l947,
caused largely by the Grace
Methodist church fire last Feb
ruary that cost an estimated
$125, 900, the city firemen are
prepared to bring the per CAPT.
ia loss down to a minimum,
Chief Groom said.
Wilmington's fight against fire
will be based on ID coopera-
ton from the citizens in clean
ing up the city and (2) innaugu-
rating an up-to-the-minute tram
ing program for the firemen.
In asking for the citizens CO.
operation, the chief urged
everyone to clean up potential
fire hazards around the home
and have furnaces inspected be-
fore cold weather begins.
Precaution A Must
eff the city is to bring down
its per capita fire loss for the
first six months of 1947 of S3.00,
compared to the national aver
age of 81. 49," ne said, "fire pre-
vention through simple precau-
tons is the first must"
For the second line Of defense
against fire, he pointed out that
the fire department last week
began a three-month intensive
school for the "rookies."
"Rookie" firemen-those who
are serving six-months proba-
tionary periods - r literally
under the constant eyes of the
Old-timers in the business treat
the youngsters warmly and in
off moments make them the fire.
ouent butt of their traditional
"greenhorn" jokes.
But during business hours
and they are more numerous
than the layman realizes - the
rookie is "making" or "break-
ing" himself in his newly
chosen career as a defender of
life and property.
The veteran hook and ladder
men are sympathetic to the
newcomers mistakes. and they
willingly give of their accumu-
lated knowledge and experience.
However when a mistake is
made too often the rookie
should either mend his ways or
choose another profession. For
at the scene of a fire. mistakes
can mean death or the loss of
a homo.
Tough Qualification
Qualifying for a fireman's job
is almost as tough as getting in
the Army or Navy. Applicants
must have high school educa-
tons and they must be at least
five feet and seven inches tall
and must weigh at least 142
pounds.
After a prospective fireman
passes the physical examina-
ton, his case is considered by
the Civil Service commission.
The commission furnishes Chief
Groom with an "eligible list" of
men, and when an opening aris-
es, the Chief chooses his rockies
from this list.
On a typical day of a fire
man under training, he reports
to work at 8 am. and answers
roll call. From 8 o'clock to 8:3(
he helps the regular drivers
check the trucks. All gauges,
pumps, couplinZ hose and en-
glnes must be inspected and the
trucks are given a Wipe-doWn.
At $50 the rookie starts "clean-
up" of the station. On this not
too pleasant duty, he assists in
hopping the floors, straighten-
ing up the bunk room and get
ting everything "ship-shape."
When he's through with
cleanup" he reports for drill
at $50. This last for two hours,
and each day a new phase of
firefighting is covered by the
head instructors, Captains r. S.
Bell and H. w. Corbett and
pump instructor Fred Futchs.
Schooling Hard
The youngsters r taught
which of five different ladders
to choose at the scene of a fire.
They learn to operate pumps,
nozz]es and deluge sets. They
stretch hose, attach couplings
and nozzles in record times. On
the drill tower they learn to es-
cape from a burning building
by rope and to climb high build