Milford chronicle., 1954-02-05
100 Volunteer FiremeR
Hold SUSSEX Meet


aiarmsf Bethany Beach, heaviest
loss. $1,000. This report for De-
cember did not include any figures
from Rehoboth, Frankfort, Mill
vile and Blades, these companies
failing to have reports in the
hands Of the Fire Recorder in
time TO be included The total
man hours spent by volunteer fire.
men ia November was 9,127 and
in December, 1927. Reports on
ambulance service maintained by
FIRE companies showed a total Of
So trips in November, covering O.
367 miles and in December there
were SO trips made for a total of
1897 miles.
Walter LaRue, State Fire Mar
shall, urged all companies to dis
cuss provisions contained in
copy Of a Fire Prevention Code,
which has been given to each COM
pany for consideration and for
recommendation as to any sug-
gested changes. He explained that
these provisions were the 1853
code for the National Underwriters
Association and for the most part
received the cooperation of bust
ness concerns. He pointed out also
that seme means should be pro-
vided for the prevention Of grass
fires aud Tres on farms, and cited
rough fglres recently compiled
showing ever a million dollars in
ll0sseg on barns, sheds and rural
bSmes, most of which we're classed
as being Of undetermined origin.
Mr. LaRue told of recent investi-
cation into cases Of arson and
urged the volunteer firemen to pay
particular attention to fires, look
ing for possible evidence of arson
and stressed the Importance of re-
porting such suspicion immediate
" to him in order that investiga-
tons could be made while clues
still existed. He also discussed
briefly the situation with regard
to public SCHOOLS using the FIRE
bells for drills and CD drills.
which has resulted in some con-
fusion and an order has been sent
to all schools in the state by Col
d. Preston Lee, State CD Director
to discontinue the use of CD
alarms for fire drills until some
definite plan can be completed.
Mr.. LaRue paid tribute to Olin D.
Johnson, former chief of the
GEORGETOWN Fire Company, who
was rendered a testimonial ban
quet in Georgetown, last Friday,
following his resignation as Chief
after serving % years. The ASSOC
citation gave Johnson a rising vote
Of appreciation for services rend-
cred during his long service. Mr.
LaRue also called attention to an
editorial in The Sussex Countian,
last week, and termed E one Of the
best Of its kind, he had ever seen.
He expressed his intention Of hav-
ing mimeographed copies of the
editorial made and sent to each
fire company in the state and he
praised the editor of the paper
for fine cooperation with volunteer
fremen. Mr.. LaRue plans to be
in Sussex County next week for
the inspection Of schools and state
and county buildings.
Marion Sherwood, of Delmar, as
ISOLATION Safety chairman, report /
ed on recent communications from |
the Safety Council and Fire Mar
shall with respect to inspection /
of the school in Delmar and other !
points including an inspection of |
school alarm systems.
Owen Davis, president of the |
Sussex County Fire Chiefs Asso-
citation, reported on a recent meet !
ing Of that body, in which a
change in bylaws was voted to
change the meeting night from /
the third Tuesday to the third |
Thursday night Of each month. He /
also told the firemen that the /
Chiefs Association had expressed I
the view that Fire Marshall LaRue
or his deputies should 60 into each |
town for inspection of schools.
homes, etc, without !
awaiting an invitation from local |
fire chiefs.
UDder discussion was the pOssi- |
bility Of obtaining aid for local |
volunteer fire Companies for in
spection, maintenance and other
necessary work in connection
with radio receiving and trans
hitting sets on local fire engines.
Ellis Kyttle, of Laurel, explained
the FEC rules with respect to
such equipment. Roy Simpler, of
RehO5Oth made a motion, which
carried, that the association name
a committee to discuss the matter
with the proper authorities i'm or
der to work out a satisfactory ar
Fangement with regard to finances
involved. Mr.. Hines, the president, /
named Mr.. Simpler of RehobOth,
Mr.. Kyttle of LAUREL and Edward |
Carey, Jr., of the Millsboro Fire
Company as committee for the
purpose.
Charles Jones, president of the
New Castle County VIA and
vice-president OF the State VIA
was introduced and spoke briefly.
He told Sussex members of the
New Castle County fire trucks
with the radio sets and
the plan used in that county for
maintaining them. He announced
that the New Castle County Asso-
ciation will hold a Fire School on
Sunday, February 14th, and ex-
tended an invitation to Sussex
Firemen to attend. An invitation
to attend the New Castle Associa-
ton meeting on February 18th, /
was also given by Mr.. Jones.
Fred Brown, of Wilmington, past
president Of the Delaware State
WV thanked firemen Of the low
er end of the state for participa-
ton in the parade in Wilmington
and gave a brief resume of a meet
Ing he attended recently of the
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