THE GLASGOW FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11783, 12 October 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GLASGOW FIRE BRIGADE.

The Glasgow Fire Brigade is a magnificent one, and has probably no superior in Great Britain. The brigade consist of 11 steam fire engines, 2 hand engines, 10 horse hose and ladder carriages, 1 hand hose carriage, 36 horses, and 115 men, and every man must have had a trade before he enters the brigade. They are joiners, builders, slaters, plumbers, painters, blacksmiths, engineers, and shoemakers. With the exception of the steam fire engines the members of the brigade make all the running plant, the ladders and other implements of wood and iron, i.he electric fire-alarms, and their own 1 helmets and boots. Even the steam fire engines never go back for repairs. A new central station, which is to be a model fire station in every respect, and for every country, is being built under Chief Paterson's direction, after his own plans, and much of the work is being done by his own men. The chief officer of the Glasgow Brigade is a splendid specimen of the typical fireman —bluff and hearty, honest and hardworking, with heart and soul in his profession. In reply to the question, "Of what are you most proud as chief?" the modest reply was, "Of having attended between five and six thousand fires without losing a single fireman; and lam also very proud of my officers and men. Of course," he added, "firemen do not escape injury, but they generally 'come up smiling,' as the saying is, and, besides, it's part of my regular business." Chief Paterson successfully introduced a telephonic communication from the scone of the fire to the chief at headquarters, such as is now in use in London. Every signal box contains a telephone, and every engine, hose cart 2 ladder-truck, or waggon carries a portable transmitter and receiver. The first officer arriving at the fire, and surveying the outlook, goes at once to the nearest signal-box and reports verbally to the chief officer, who is awaiting his message, with the 'phone to his ear, at the central station. Within —at litest fiveminutes after the first alarm he knows the situation, if reinforcements are wanted, or if he should come himself.-— Magazine.