FIRE PROTECTION IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS 653 



a specified number of men for definite periods. Oflicers are instructed to fur- 

 nish a well balanced ration of substantial food. 



On many forests fire guards are being appointed at a reduced salary and 

 are furnished with subsistence. Food supplies are then purchased under com- 

 petition in order to get reasonable rates, and suitable quantities of the sup- 

 plies so purchased and taken to the field headquarters are available for pa- 

 trolmen or in case of fire for fire fighters. 



ORGANIZATION. 



Since the organization for fire protection upon the forests is of the ut- 

 most importance, a great deal of attention is being given to this phase of the 

 work. The regular and permanent force on each forest consists of a super- 

 visor, a deputy supervisor if one is needed, clerks, and rangers who may be 

 assisted by forest guards during the season of heavy administrative work and 

 the fire season. The supervisor with the assistance of his deputy, has charge 

 of the work on the forest and is directly responsible for efficiency and results. 

 Use may often be made of clerks in handling the commissary department in 

 emergencies. Rangers with their assistants constitute the field force proper. 

 Depending upon the need, there may be one or more in each district. The 

 field force act as patrolmen, fire fighters if need be, and so far as possible with- 

 out detriment to fire protection, carry on the administrative work. 



Experience has shown, however, that this regular force is not sufficiently 

 flexible for the best results. It may be necessary because of unusual menace 

 or bad fires to increase greatly the number of patrolmen, and also the number 

 of fire fighters. Accordingly, practically all of the pei'mits for the use or 

 occupancy of the forest require assistance where needed in case of fire. The 

 liability for work depends upon the size and the nature of the permit and 

 iipon the responsibility for the fire. Payment is made to permittees for as- 

 sistance rendered beyond the requirements of the permit. The general char- 

 acter of such requirements is indicated by the following clause from a timber 

 sale contract. 



"During the time that this agreement remains in force I will, independ- 

 ently, do all in my power to prevent and suppress forest fires on the sale 

 area and its vicinity, and will require my employees and contractors to do 

 likewise. I hereby agree, unless prevented by circumstances over which I 

 have no control, to place myself and my employees at the disposal of any 

 authorized forest oflBcer for the purpose of fighting forest fires, with the 

 understanding that if the fire does not threaten my property or the area 

 embraced in this agreement, I shall be paid for services so rendered at the 

 rate or rates to be determined by the forest officer in charge, which rate or 



rates shall correspond to the rate or rates of pay prevailing in the 



National Forest for services of a similar character at the time 



the services are rendered, provided, however, that if I or my employees, sub- 

 contractors, or employees of subcontractors are directly or indirectly re- 

 sponsible for the origin of the fire, I shall not be paid for services so ren- 

 dered." 



While having no connection with the organization, it may be well to 

 mention that all permits where necessary include further provisions to pre- 

 vent fire: In timber sales for brush disposal and the cutting of dead stubs; 

 in grazing permits to prevent the leaving of burning camp or branding fires; 

 in power permits for the clearing of a right of way for transmission lines ; in 

 railroad stipulations for the clearing of the right of way, the use of spark 

 arresters, or the use of oil or electricity for motive power, etc. 



In order to extend still further the reserve force for patrol and fighting, 



