NEAFC 31st Annual Conference.pdf - New England Association of ...

NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS
to race to the scene because it might be awarded some cash and sometimes liquid: re,
freshmen’t.s. Later on as the .business o.f firefighting developed the folks in the insurance
business found they had to work with the firemen for the common good..The first
committee to be organized was on arson and incendiarism. The committee on arson and
incendiarism offered rewards for the apprehension of fire bugs, but in 1917 it was
found that more scientific means of detection was needed and the special agents of the
national board came into being.
Today we have gotten away from the close interests of insurance. They are concerned
with the conservation of life, the reduction of fire waste. Beyond that we have
the committees on fire prevention and engineering standards. That is a group of insurance
men that work closely with you in yo.ur business.
Going back over the years with the conflagrations--Boston, 8an Francisco and
Chicago--the one thing which is impressive was the lack of a uniform standard. To
Baltimore was shipped ten or twelve engines. They might as well have left them home
because they had no means of hooking up. 8o far as time and effort were concerned
they might have stayed’ in New York.
I like to think of an occasion that happened at home. In New Jersey there was a
series of hotel fires--three bad ones. I was~a fire-engine chaser; I still am. Each little
community sent in its engines arid Asbury Park was using them all and a truck came
in. from Annisquam. They tore down the main street, jumped out--no hose--so they
came to Asbury Park merely for the ride.
We work closely with the Bay-State Club. Last week we came up to give you a
program--things you ought to know. We took back with us things you though~ we
ought to know, and I think much good has come of it.
~.
The main thing as of today is that when c.~saster strikes anywhere in the United
States the insurance business has a means to cope with the financial loss which must
c ecessarily follow. We follow behind you. The good work you do, we hope, has
enhanced the good work we can go in providing for rehabilitation of stricken areas.
(Applause.)
=CHAIRMAN ~ER8KINE: I would like to make an acknowledgment of the Bay State
Club. I went to our good friends, "Well, we don’t sell banners, but whatever we can
get off on one we are glad to turn back to you." This was the outcc,me and-when I got
back from my vacation I found it in my office and I called up Jim and said, "It is
!ovely, but where is the bill." Two or three weeks later I called again and he said that
he would send~ me the bill. It was a receipted bill and I would like to make acknowledgment
to the American Fire Insurance Company fc.r the banner.
We have come to the most interesting part of the conversation because I think
the audience participation in it gives you fellows a chance to ask specific questions, so
if there are any questions from the floor at this time we will be glad to receive them.
We have already received one and I might start with this until you get your nerve
up. I think the first one was directed at Mrs. Curley. "Who determines what may be
taught in the school, i. e., subjects like fire prevention?"
MRS. CURLEY: I would like to say that the State Department of Education determines
what shall be .taught in the schools. The State Department of Education
doesn’t have that much authority. There are a few required subjects, required by law
that have to be taught in the school. Other ~ubjects may be taught at the discretion of
the school board; that is your board of education in your local community. I will leave
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