DISCIPLINE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3610, 8 March 1927, Page 2

DISCIPLINE

AN EFFECTIVE FORCE. ITS BEARING ON FIRE / BRIGADES. “In the work of such an institution as a Fire Brigadle the importance of discipline and its effective force cannot bo over-estimated, and yet in many brigades the subject is lamentably neglected,” stated past-president •Freeman in the course, of an interesting and * import ant. paper read at the United Fire Brigades’ Conference at Gisborne last week. “The matter of aIL is entirely in the hands of the officers, and they must recognise that the efficiency of their brigade depends largely on the discipline displayed. Discipline should start with the officers, especially when moral force is the principal factor in that control. In all brigades the efficiency of the fireman will largely depend on the zeal and energy of the officers, who require a high degree of technical training and experience if they are to be equal to the demands made upon them under modern conditions. As matters stand at present, however, there is no properly organised provision for ensuring the adequate training of fire brigade officers for the responsible duties they are called upon to undertake in connection with the pro A lection of life and property from fire. It is therefore time that an organisation was formed to give more facilities to the technical and practical training of the officers of the fire brigade service. This was advocated by Inspector Hugo at a recent conference, and similarutterances have been made by our advisory superintendent; it inlay be possible to. call the officers together at this conference to discuss this matter, which to my mind is a very vital one. COMRADESHIP. \ “There is no need! for an otlvccr to hold himself aloof from his members; comradeship is consistent with discipline, and if rightly used encourages and promotes true discipline. He should not be a man who would take advantage of another, nor use bad language to his men, for lie will, soon find them doing the same, and thus the tone of the brigade will be lowered, and it will lose its status in the eyes of the public: “Punctuality is of prime importance, whether at drill or meetings. Drill should' be held regularly, the roll called at the precise time, and this method being adopted, will soon find all members punctual. In most ■ volunteer brigades members exist who might be termed ‘drones.’ They will let ,lhc willing horse do tl* work. It js advisable to seek these men out and make them do their . equal share of drill and other worlyv in connection with (lie brigade.' ' Smoking should not. be encouraged while a't practice; nothing looks worse than seeing members smoking while on the fire engine or at drill, and this should be avoided till the; brigade is dismissed.

SHOLD HAVE NO FAVOURITES. “Discipline is of most importance while attending a lire. The circumstances are exciting and members are inclined to get out of hand, but if the training has been strictly carried out, then the work at fires will go along smoothly. Officers should have no favourites, nor should be shown one man more than another. If lie does so it generally ends in the brigade being divided; of course the man who does the host- work, and is. most reliable will get the confidence of the officers, but this is not favouritism. A fair deal to all will promote harmonious relations among any body of men. “I have dealt largely here with the duty of an officer in regard to setting a standard of discipline, but in the manual issued by the National Fire Brigade' Union, it quotbs the following as a fireman’s duty, and I cannot dlo better than use the words written in that work: “1. A good fireman should always be ready to assist in cleaning, and any other work about the station no matter how small it is, and thus show lie takes a pride in his brigade and' equipment. f “2. To be civil and respectful in Iris conduct and clean in appearance. “3. To perform all duties entrusted to him in a prompt and efficient manner. “4. To hold himself in readiness for any duty he may be called upon to do by his officer. “5. To study and otherwise endeavour to qualify himself to perform the duties of an officer, should such duties come his way, and thus make himself thoroughly officient. “In conclusion, gentlemen, let me here state our work is a noble work, one that commends itself to the general public in all walks of life, who look to the tire service for • something noble and good, and it behoves one and all to so fit ourselves that we are a credit to so fine an institution, and that it will be the better for our membership.” *