Standardisation of Fire Plans. 389 



tection. Before purchasing burros, mules or horses for this 

 purpose the approval of the District Forester is necessary. 



Use of Improvement Crews. 



Wherever it is possible to do so, improvement crews during 

 the fire season should be placed on w^ork where they can be avail- 

 able for fire jighting, thus giving an additional reserve supply of 

 fighters in case they are needed. The foreman will have a 

 wagon and team, or some other means of transportation, and 

 will be equipped with a portable telephone and enough emergency 

 wire to conveniently reach the telephone system. In case of fire 

 he will be called on to go to it immediately, with his crew if 

 necessary. 



Awards. 



The committee decided that the plan of making awards should 

 be tried out this season. These are to be given to Forests hav- 

 ing at the end of the fire season the best record in fire protec- 

 tion. A first and second prize will be given. The award will 

 consist of a framed official letter for posting at the Forest head- 

 quarters, designating the winning Forest, together with a list 

 of the entire Forest personnel, copies of the letter being sent to 

 each member of the Forest force as well. The first prize will 

 be designated by a blue ribbon attached to the letter; the sec- 

 ond by a red ribbon. The awards will be determined on: i. 

 highest percentage of class A fires; (2) smallest average acreage 

 per fire, including all classes of fires; (3) inspection reports 



Inspection. 



The committee went on record to the effect that it is of the 

 first importance for the supervisor himself to personally in- 

 spect the workings of the protective plans in the field. Monthly 

 field plans for the supervisor's office force must provide for 

 this during the fire season and will be scrutinized by members 

 of the District Office with this end in view. 



The committee fully discussed the following, but did not 

 feel at that time that standardization was practicable; pack 

 saddles and outfits; nested cooking equipment; water packing 

 outfits for use on pack animals ; electric storage battery ; lanterns 

 for tool boxes. 



