Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1953-06-18
We Like Volunteer Firemen


correspondent in the Letters to the Editor column
this week takes to task for editorial June in which
viewed with alarm the heter-sketer arrival of volun-
teers when the fire siren sounds.
We feel that the gentleman missed the point of the
editorial We not objectng to the fire apparatus
ambulance but to the private which up Montgomery
Avenue and other streets when the siren sounds.
In reply to the letter did go to the corner and
watch the fremen arrive That is why the editorial was
written
We believe the fremen arrive in a safer manner
and yet get to the frehouse without undue delay Most
OF the other volunteer fire departments in the county
strict rules against racing to the rehouse in response to
the alarm
Emergency vehicles have the right-of-way but also are
required to exercise caution Even police per-
mtted to drive reckessy in calls under Maryland
law.
However, to be fair, it seems to us that the remen
have been exercising caution in travelling the fire.
house in the past week We do not believe they have exhb
tied the reckessnes in rounding the bank and
we feel the remen entitled to credit for their ability to
discipline themselves in the public interest.
1t would that the police department bears fair
share OF the blame for the confusion at the With
police headquarters located within few yards of the danger
spot there is apparent that policeman is not
dispatched at to the direct traffic during the
time the iremen arriving and the engines leave uni
formed policeman do much in controlling the impotence
of drivers Police get the alarm before the sounded
We also suggest to the City of Rockville that signs be
placed at each entrance the main street with warning to
motorists that they should pull to the curb and stop when
they hear the siren Most strangers travelling through the
city understand that they should pull to the curb when they
see fire engine but they have little reason to understand
that civilian will be dashng through traffic when the
siren sounds And the very nature of volunteer fire de-
parments all pieces of apparatus at the same
time Volunteers arrive period of time and man the
equipment they arrive and gather full complement
stranger two engines and concludes the
emergency and it is safe to proceed With no one
on duty to tell him otherwise, he's very likely have the
pants scared off him when the two pieces come
dashing at him.
We also believe that the police should pay atten-
ton to moving traffic from the roads when the emergency
apparatus is approaching and sounding warning signal
There is considerable laxity in this respect.
1t is understandable that the remen are little i'm
petuous in their rush to the rehouse They actually not
know whether the alarm is serious just of nature
and all of them have their desire to aid their
unfortunate feowmen by their action in joining the de-
partment.
The Rockville Department has record of which to be
proud and has provided the excellent fire fighting facilities
here with very little tax money They have the money
to operate the department through dances and canas and
very the annual carnival will begin and every citizen
should show his gratitude for the sef-sacrce and service
OF these men by patronZng the carnival Actually it is the
hghght of the entertainment year in the county well
worth attending regardless of the purpose to which the
funds will be devoted
But high regard for the remen blind us to
the necessity for admonshing them when their zeal en-
dangers the community We feel that they win care of
the problem that has been brought to their attention
in the credabe that they have solved other
problems in more than quarter of century of service