ORDINANCE No. 4 of 1868.
Fire Brigade.
streets, and the tanks from which they are supplied; also the situation of wells, and the average depth of water at all points accessible to an engine along the Praya wall. This order applies especially to the officers of the Brigade who are expected to know the best means of supplying an engine with water in any part of the town.
4. On the alarm of fire, the bell will be rung without delay. First with a quick alarm for two minutes, to be followed by single, double, or treble strokes to denote the situation of the fire. One stroke indicating the eastern district, eastward of Murray Barracks; two, the central district, from Murray Barracks to the Harbour Office; and three, the western district.
5. On the alarm being sounded, firemen and officers who have not been told off for special duty will hasten to the engine house of their district to assist in taking the engines to the fire. But those in charge of hose reels, coal carts, ladders, supply carts, &c., must on no account neglect the duties which they have been specially appointed to perform.
6. On the arrival of the engines at the scene of fire, they will be stationed in such positions as the senior officer present may direct. In placing them, as well as in laying out the hose, great care should be taken to allow as much space as possible for the use of any engines that may subsequently arrive on the ground. On getting the engine as close to the water supply as the nature of the ground will admit, the delivery hose should first be connected and run out towards the fire as directed by the senior officer present, next the suction hose should be carefully screwed home. It must be always borne in mind that the shorter the suction hose, the greater the power obtained, and that, if carelessly connected, the efficiency of the engine may be seriously affected.
7. Great care should be taken to run out the hose in as straight a line as possible without twists, sharp turns, or unnecessary bends. The firemen attached to each engine should, from time to time, observe the position of the reel or other hose supply, so that they may be able to replace promptly any length which may burst or become otherwise damaged.
8. Firemen in charge of the branch should place themselves in such a position that the stream from the nozzle may actually strike the burning materials. Playing at random from the ground through a window should be avoided, whenever it is possible to obtain a better position, either by entering the premises on fire, ascending the roof of an adjoining building, or otherwise.
9. In moving engines, escapes, supply carts, &c., great care should be taken not to injure the hose of other brigades.
10. Without the permission of one of the Superintendents, no foreman or other member of the Brigade is to receive any refreshment whatever, while on duty, except that which, when necessary, will be supplied free of cost by the Government.
11. All members of the Brigade are strictly prohibited from smoking while on duty at fires or inspections. But men remaining on watch after a fire has been subdued, may at the discretion of the senior officer present be allowed to smoke when not actively engaged.