• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

llll3i lll llll 0231lllll lij~ f:11] ~i ll@00197l ~ ilillil ll~l~ li~4372llllllll fl ll ll l ll l ~tatl' of arouuutirut FOREST FIRE WARDEN MANUAL Compiled by C. H. LATHROP Au't State Forest Fire Warden CONNECTICUT FOREST FIRE SERVICE AUSTIN F. HAWES, State Forester HARTFORD, CONN. REVISION OF 1935 MODERN FORES'I' FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS Cal'l'it>s: 425 ~a l. of '"'R.t'-'1': 1 t1·ansmi~'iion pump. capacit.y 100 gal. l)eJ' min.: 1 Fit.zhcnJ·y­ Cuptill pump, capacity :!0 gal. ncr min. ; 1 mill' li ghl-¥-c i ~ht ho!-ic: t'quipmcnt fo1· :5 nH.. n. CONTENTS Preface 5 Appointments 6 Duties and Powers of Wardens ............. 8 Reports ..................... .................. ... ..... 11 Compensation ......... 17 Bills ................ ········ ··· ··········· ···· · 18 Organization of District ... .. ..... ····· .. 22 Registered Forest Fire Crews . .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 Law Enforcement ...................................... 32 P ermits .... ........ ........... .... ........ ............. ... 36 Railroad Fires .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 41 Supplies ......................... ................... 45 Equipment .......... ...................................... 47 Power Pumps ........... ........ ........... 49 Explanation of terms used ....................... 51 Fire Fighting Methods ................. .. ........... 58 Fire Control .................................... 64 Patrol and Mop-up .. .. ................................ 71 Patrolmen .... .. ................................... 73 Lookout Towers ................. ....... .. .. ... .... .... .. 75 Protective Associations ........................... 78 Forest Guides .......................................... 82 Co-operation of Bus Companies and , New England Telephone Company 82 3 PREFACE This is the third Manual which has been written for the use of the fire wardens. We have endeavored to cover every phase of fire fighting and any question which might arise in regard to subjects connected with your work as fire warden. While you may understand your work thoroughly, and feel that some sections of this Manual are unnecessary and contrary to your views, it is the result of comparative studies of the best methods of fire fighting. You will seldom find it necessary to write to us on any subject if you will read care­ fully the instructions covering your work. These instructions are necessary and must be followed to prevent friction between the administrative and the working forces of the Department. It is hoped that you will read the Manual carefully to make certain that you are familiar with the details of your work. C. H. Lathrop, Ass't State Forest Fire Warden 5 APPOINTMENTS ( 1) District Wardens. A district fire warden is appointed by the state forest fire warden, to whom he is responsible for the performance of his duties. Formerly fire wardens were appointed by the selectmen and were town officers. This law adopted in 1921 virtually makes them state officers. (2) The law provides that the town may be retained as the unit under a war­ den, or if conditions warrant a district may be established by the state forest fire war­ den. Such a district may comprise a part of one or more towns and the warden in charge will be termed a district warden. (Sec. 2179) The district warden is the chief of the forest fire service in his town or district and should see that it is properly organized. All reports of fires in the town or district should be endorsed by him whether or not he was present at the time of the fire. (3) A deputy fire warden is appointed by the district warden, and is assigned a definite section within which he is respon­ sible for the prevention and extinguishing of forest fires. At a fire in his section he has authority over all fire fighters except the district warden. When called to fires outside his district he should take charge if he is the only warden present, but report to the warden of the district, if he is pres­ ent. 6 The deputy warden in charge of a fire should send all reports and bills to the district warden in the district where the fire occurred for his endorsement. (Sec. 2179) ( 4) The term of office for district and deputy wardens is the calendar year end­ ing December 31, and appointments must be renewed annually. A district warden's appointment (Form A) should be signed by the state forest fire warden or his deputy. A deputy warden's appointment (Form B) requires the signature of the dis­ trict warden only. (5) Acceptances f1·om all wardens are required each year. (Form H.) Unless a signed acceptance for the current year is on file in the state warden's office, sup­ plies and instructions will not be sent to a warden nor will his bills be recognized as legal. ( 6) In cities having paid fire depart­ ments and whose boundaries are co-termin­ ous with the town boundaries, a fire warden will be appointed only upon the request of the mayor of the city. (Sec. 2179.) Such cities are Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Waterbury, Norwalk, Torrington and Middletown. (7) Cities without paid fire depart­ ments and portions of towns outside of city limits are to be included in forest fire dis­ tricts and a district fire warden will be ap­ pointed over such territory. Cities which are not co-terminous with the town bound­ aries are Danbury, Norwich, Putnam, Stam­ ford, Winsted, Rockville and Willimantic. 7 Cities with town and city boundaries co­ terminous, but without paid fire depart­ ments, are Ansonia, Derby and Shelton. DUTIES AND POWERS OF WARDENS (8) It is the first duty of the district fire warden to organize his district and ap­ point deputies in the various sections where there is danger of fire. Men should be selected who will take an interest and be efficient in extinguishing fires. Wherever possible men having telephones should be appointed. Three or four deputies in a town or district will usually be sufficient. If more are desired write to the state fire warden stating reasons. Appointments should be made on Form B. (9) A fire warden's duties include not only the prevention and extinguishing of forest fires, but the enforcement of all laws enacted by the state for the protection of forest and timber land from fire. He should make himself thoroughly familiar with the laws, and these instructions which supplement and explain them. If any point in either is not clear to him, he should write to the state warden regarding it. (10) A fire warden has legal authority to summon any male resident of the town between the ages of eighteen and fifty years to assist in extinguishing fires, and may re­ quire the use of horses and other property needed for such purpose. He may destroy fences, plow land, or set back fires if such action is necessary to check any fire. He has the power to arrest without warrant all persons whom he finds violating any of the 8 laws enacted by the state for the protection of forest and timber land, and may bring them before any justice, judge, or other proper authority for immediate trial. Any fire warden or deputy also has the same authority in the service of criminal prosecu­ tion as do deputy sheriffs in their respective jurisdiction, and shall be allowed the same fees as woul d be allowed a deputy sheriff. (See Sec. 585b). OPINION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL RELATIVE TO SPE EDING TO FIRES BY WARDENS "Austin F. Hawes, Esq., "State Forest Fire Warden. "Dear Sir:- "In your communication to me you a~k for my opinion as to whether a fire warden appointed by you is subject to arrest for speeding in the streets of a city while in the performance of his duty on his way to a forest fire. "(Deputy) fire wardens are state officers under the law and are given very broad powers to ac­ complish the duties which the law imposes on them. Among these, is the power to arrest without warrant persons violating any of the laws for the protection of forest and timber lands. "Section 27 of Chapter 400 of the Session Laws of 19 21 reads as follows: " 'Motor vehicles in the custody and use of officers in the performance of their duties shall be exempt from any traffic regulations of any town, city or borough, and from the provisions of this act or of chapter 334 of the public acts of 1921, in so far as such exemption shall be necessary for the effective enforcement of any of the provisions of the general statutes.' "The state fire warden or his deputies come within the provisions of this statute, and I therefore advise you that fire wardens when in the performance of their duties are not subject to arrest for speeding in city streets. "Respectfully submitted, "FRANK E . HEALY, "Attorney General.'' 9 District Mao Back of District Map REPORTS (12) The district warden should keep a record of every fire occurring in his dis­ trict. Number all fires consecutively in the order in which they occur, beginning a new series each calendar year. In the upper left-hand corner of the Fire Report, Form C (Fig. 2) there is a space for your number. At the end of each year a map will be fur­ nished you by the state forest fire warden. Place a dot on the map as nearly as possible on the exact location of the fire and beside it the number of the fire. Thus, a dot with the number five beside it on the map will indicate the location of the fifth fire of the year. On the back of this map is stamped a form which will give the number of fires in your district. The number in the space marked "No." should correspond to the number on the face of the map and the area burned should appear in the column marked "Area" opposite the number of the fire. (See Fig. 1, District Map) For your convenience, keep a record of each fire on the stub in the book of reports.

Load more

  88

Copy Link