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GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
If the engine can be quickly drawn by hand to a fire it will be better not to wait for horses, but all to lend a willing hand in dragging the engine to the required spot. Should the distance be too great, horses must be procured; the men should seat themselves on the engine—officers in front; even numbers on the right side, and odd numbers on the left.
No fireman should enter alone any premises on fire, for should he be overpowered by heat, smoke, &c., his life might be lost, when with others he may be easily drawn back by means of his leather bolt or by a rope attached to the same, when he may safely enter places where otherwise it would be attended with extreme danger.
Rooms when on fire should always be entered on the hands and knees, the engineer taking the branch pipe with him and his assistant assisting in pulling up the hose.
Immediately on the discovery of a fire in a house all the windows and doors should be closed to prevent a current of air being formed. If this is not done the slumbering flames being fanned by the air will break out with great fury, whereas by closing the doors and windows and introducing a stream of water by means of scaling ladders from without, and pointing the director or branch-pipe into the building, so that the water may be thrown upon the fire, it will more effectually extinguish the fire than if thrown from without.
Should hay, corn, or straw stacks be on fire, the first object should be to prevent the neighbouring buildings or
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acks from igniting by hanging blankets, rick cloths, &c., well saturated with water, on the sides and top nearest the fire.
The foreman should ascertain where long ladders are kept, and the different supplies of water and access thereto in the neighbourhood, in fact it should be the duty of all the members to ascertain and see for themselves.
The members of the Brigade will distinctly understand that they are only under the control of their own officers, and are not on any occasion to speak to, or take orders from any other person. All inquirers must be referred to the officers.
Fires in chimneys can be easily extinguished by throwing a quantity of common salt on the fire in the grate, and immediately placing a wet blanket, or a board, so as to cover the entire opening, and prevent the flames descending into the room, as the vapour of the salt ascending the chimney will effectually extinguish the soot on fire. Powdered brimstone, if it can be readily obtained, is more effectual than salt. If the ends of the joists, beams, or any wood-work be in the chimney, the hand-pump can be used with advantage.
In moving the hose, when full, the men should be very careful to lay hold of the beckets (or loops) which are fastened round for this purpose, and see that there is a man to each loop. In taking up the hose the same order is to be observed as in laying it down, each man coiling up his length and carrying it back to the engine. In coiling the hose remember to keep the swivel screw outside, and the rivets also outside.
The Brigade are expected to perform their duties as silently as possible; order, coolness, promptitude, and despatch are indispensable.
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