FIRE DRILL

Southland Times, Issue 22203, 21 December 1933, Page 10

FIRE DRILL

INTERESTING DEMONSTRATION. SMARTNESS AND EFFICIENCY OF BRIGADE. The general public was given a rare oportunity of studying a fire brigade uqder working .conditions last evening when members of the local brigade gave a highly interesting demonstration of training and evolutions. There was an attendance of over 250, including members of the Invercargill Fire Board. The deputy-superintendent, Mr R. Robertson, instructor to the brigade, was in charge, and the skill and precision with which the twenty men carried out his orders evoked the keenest admiration. In fact, rounds of spontaneous applause were accorded each item.

AU three fire engines were used, one being a light tender and the other two pumping combinations. The demonstration was carried out at the rear of the fire station and, although everything was there except flames and smoke, the public had a better opportunity of studying the ramifications of brigade work than if they had been present at an actual fire, where the general confusion usually interferes with an intelligent survey of the scene. Physical drill marked the opening of the evening. Nine pyramids with and without parallel bars were formed, and these were followed by a canoe race, mat rolling and “jumping the bag.” A method of picking up an insensible person amid dense smoke was then shown. The wrists of the patient were tied together, after which he was put on his back and the rescuer placed his head through and carried the man away. A demonstration of Professor Schaffer’s method of artificial respiration was given: Dr. Sylvester’s method is also taught the men. The use of the jumping sheet was then shown, a man jumping from the second storey into the sheet.

The men appeared in dress and undress on various occasions, but most amusement was caused when they appeared in pyjamas for a demonstration of a response to a night alarm under conditions as near as possible to those actually met with. The demonstration last evening should serve to imbue the public with a greater sense of security in the event of fire. From the moment of the alarm to the departure of the machine 23 seconds elapsed. That is not necessarily the men’s fastest time, but it serves to show how quickly the men leap out of bed. don their clothes and speed away in the engine. One minute seven seconds after receiving the alarm the first hose was working on the fire. Water-tower escape drill followed. The cylindrical tower, about two feet in I'ligth, at the top of the escape ladder was shown in use, directing a stream of water on to a building from a height of 60 feet, 'the ladder being fully extended. A demonstration of the chair knot was given. For this two loops are formed in the line so that even if a patient is unconscious he cannot fall out. One end of the line is lowered and the other retained to prevent the rescued man from bumping against the building. The use of the first aid outfit was shown, the first aid being a small hose with a tank in the body of the engine containing about 40 gallons for use when dealing with small fires or for holding a fire in check until the larger hoses can be brought into operation. The method of getting into action from a stream or harbour, using suction pumps, was also demonstrated. Smoke helmet drill showed how thick smoke was penetrated by firemen while fresh air was pumped from outside. These items were a fitting preparation for the concluding event —the brigade called by a street alarm. A constable was in the yard when a window in the building was thrown up and a call of “Help! Fire!” was heard. The constable ran to the street alarm, broke it and turned out the brigade, then directing it to the fire. A prompt rescue was made, the water-tower escape ladder being brought into operation. At the conclusion of the demonstration Mr E. B. Pilcher, chairman of the Fire Board, extended thanks to the brigade for its efforts and touched on the course the board had adopted in providing the best apparatus for the brigade. A vote of thanks was accorded the brigade by acclamation, after which Mr F. S. Simpson, the superintendent, replied, stating that ’t was not generally realized just how intensive the training of the brigade was.