TH
1504
MS
1941


Michigan Fire Department
Training Program
TOWN FIRE SCHOOLS
An opportunity for fire departments
in smaller cities of the state to
receive instruction in fire
department work
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mingState Board of Control for
Vocational Education
Lansing, Michigan
1941
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TOWN FIRE SCHOOLS
For a long time a method has been sought to bring to the fire departments of smaller towns and cities
of the state some systematic and organized instruction in fire fighting practices. To be useful, such
instruction must be adapted to the conditions of the community, must be given by men of experience
who know the job, and must be given to all the members of the fire department. These conditions are
met in the Town Fire Schools.
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EXCHANGE
MICHIGANI
LIDDAR
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WHAT THEY ARE
The Town Fire School consists of a series of twelve meetings conducted in the local fire department,
generally with one meeting held per week, Each meeting is from two to three hours long. The meet-
ings are held in the evening and at such times as suit the convenience of the department members and
the instructor. They are on the discussion basis and whether conducted in classroom or out-of-doors,
include demonstrations of manipulations and methods used in fire fighting. The basic outline of topics
to be treated at the twelve meetings follows. The order may be varied as the conditions or the judg-
ment of the instructor may decide.
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1. Purpose and Importance of a Fire Department Training School-What may be accomplished
Survey of local equipment and problems to adapt the instruction to such subjects and
exercises as may be of the most practical benefits to the department.
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2. Care and Use of Fire Apparatus-Getting the most out of the pumper, booster tanks and
pumps. . . . Working pressures and hydraulic principles.
3. Hose, Its Care and Use-Types of load, hose couplings, testing, hose layouts, nozzle, hose
carries, and hydrant connections. . . . Connectors and hose auxiliaries.
4. Forcible Entry and Minor Extinguishment Practices-Ropes and knots. . . . Minor tools and
forcible entry practices. Extinguishers.
5. Pumper Operation-Evolutions in pumper connection and operation. . . . Valves and their
use. .. Pressures.
6. Hose Evolutions-Evolutions in the connecting and use of hose and nozzles. . . . Replacing
burst section or changing nozzles. ... Fire streams.
7. Ladder Evolutions-Ladder carrier and raises. ... Special raises and hoists, anchoring,
and climbing.
8. Ventilation-How and when to ventilate a fire. ...
.. Methods and precautions. .
Control.
9. Salvage Practice and Rescue Work-Equipment and attack.. .. Public relations...
Life saving methods.
10. First Aid, Gas Masks, Inhalators-Stoppage of blood and artificial respiration. ... Limita-
tions and use of gas masks. ... Use of inhalator.
11-12. Fire Fighting Tactics-These two sessions are given to methods of fighting different kinds
of fires and to fighting the fires in the community "before they happen". A series of
exercises is posed on local conditions and hazards as to best methods of attack, control,
and the protection of exposures.
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ENDORSEMENTS
"The town fire schools under the supervision of the State
Board of Control for Vocational Education should be taken
advantage of by all small town fire departments.”
O. M. Henn, Manager
Michigan Inspection Bureau
"The Southeastern Michigan Fire Chiefs' Association has
given hearty endorsement to the Town Fire School plan as a
distinct aid to smaller departments in keeping up-to-date and
alert on fire fighting practices. Such instruction should be in-
valuable for normal times but in these days of uncertainty,
no one knows when our fire departments will be called on to
render emergency service far beyond their normal load."
E. Rector, President
Southeastern Fire Chiefs' Assoc.
"The Town Fire School which was held last year in the
Grand Haven Fire Department in conjunction with the Fire
Department of the village of Spring Lake was a very great
success. We all-received very many valuable pointers and
instructions in methods of handling our equipment and first-
aid, which we appreciated very much. We have had 15
lessons, part of them in the village of Spring Lake, to get
acquainted with both departments' equipment.
"The men all took a great interest in these lessons and are
planning on following up with another school."
Henry Hoebeke
Fire Chief of Grand Haven, Michigan
Fred Bottema
Fire Chief of Spring Lake, Michigan
"The Town Fire School held in Lapeer last year was voted
a great success by our department. The instruction and
training received has made the department much surer of
itself in tackling the fire protection of this city."
M. J. Wilson
City Manager
City of Lapeer, Michigan
"Town Fire Schools seem to me an effective way of training
firemen and of educating them on the vital matters pertaining
to fire fighting.
"Those of us who have spent long years at the fire fighting
business know of the many problems a fire department is up
against, and any knowledge obtained through these schools
will be of great benefit. Towns which do not have a paid
Fire Department surely will derive a lot of good from this
source.
"I am sure I voice the opinion of a great majority of Michigan
Fire Chiefs and as President of this Association heartily en-
dorse the Town Fire Schools."
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H. C. Crumb, President
Michigan State Fire Chiefs' Assoc.
"The Michigan State Firemen's Association has always stood
for and promoted better training in the fire departments, and
feels a direct interest in any and all training programs. The
Town Fire Schools, which bring vital information to all the
members of the department and teach them how to do a
better job, are a great addition to our profession."
Jacob Hohman, President
Michigan State Firemen's Assoc.
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THE INSTRUCTING STAFF
Through the courtesy and cooperation of the chiefs
of the various fire departments from which they
come, the following men are enabled to serve as
instructors of the Town Fire Schools. All of them
are active members of full-time departments, are
men of many years experience in fire departments,
serve as instructors or drillmasters within their
own departments, and have had special training
and experience in fire department instruction.
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Charles Anschuetz,
Captain, Saginaw Fire Department
Herman Dangel,
Lieutenant, Saginaw Fire Department
Wallace F. Gannon,
Captain, Muskegon Fire Department
Vernon W. Griffith,
Chief, Birmingham Fire Department
Jacob Hohman, Jr.,
Captain, Bay City Fire Department
Cecil Morey,
Fireman, Alpena Fire Department
Adolph W. Nelson,
Ass't Chief, Grand Rapids Fire Department
Stanley Pepperall,
Captain, Birmingham Fire Department
Earl Scrimger,
Captain, Ferndale Fire Department
Clyde Wray,
Lieutenant, Royal Oak Fire Department
As far as possible these instructors will be assigned
to Town Fire Schools within reasonable driving
distance from their home cities.
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WHO MAY HOLD A SCHOOL?
Any fire department in Michigan. It is expected
that all the members of the fire department will
attend. Two or more departments may, if con-
veniently located, combine to hold a school. The
only present limitation is that such schools must
be at convenient driving distance for the instructor.
WHEN MAY THEY START?
At any time. Nine of the twelve sessions are in-
doors and may be held in the fire station or other
convenient room. Three sessions are evolution or
practice sessions and must be held out-of-doors at
such times as the weather will permit. Some de-
partments hold the class sessions through the
winter and arrange the drill and evolution sessions
for spring or summer.
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WHAT DO WE HAVE TO SUPPLY?
The classroom and a blackboard. Equipment used
will be mainly that owned by the department.
WHAT IS THE COST?
The cost has been set at $100 for all departments
alike. This covers all the travelling and living
expenses of the instructor and such materials as
he may use. The State Board of Control for
Vocational Education will write a Contract for Aid
reimbursing 75 per cent of the cost, whenever the
Town Fire School is sponsored by the local public
schools.
WHERE SHOULD APPLICATION
BE MADE?
To: George H. Fern, Director
State Board of Control for Vocational Education
Bauch Building
Lansing, Michigan
TARTOTTENRIC