818 A NATIONAL PLAN FOE AMERICA^ FORESTRY 



without interference from other sources ; if they are appointed or sug- 

 gested for appointment by town or county officials, the State forester 

 should have absolute authority to approve or reject them and to 

 dismiss them for cause. 



The organization should embody to a well-balanced degree the 

 features of prevention, detection, and prompt suppression of fires. 



Well organized prevention must give an important place to vigorous 

 and sustained educational activities, conducted through varied means 

 of reaching the public, which should include suitable provision for 

 press contacts and publicity. Prevention should include also the 

 taking of special precautions during the dangerous fire season 

 sending put fire warnings to the public, the use of patrolmen, close 

 cooperation with the State police, strict enforcement of laws, such 

 as the permit and the brush disposal laws, designed to hold in check 

 the originating and the spread of fires, and closing of the woods when 

 necessary by proclamation of the governor. Prevention of fires 

 should have a more prominent place in the picture, be given more 

 persistent attention, than is commonly the case now. 



Detection of fires should be provided for by well constructed and 

 well distributed observation stations, each in charge of a man sup- 

 plied with equipment for locating fires and connected by good tele- 

 phone service with the fire suppression forces. His duty is to discover 

 and report promptly woods fires that come within his vision. He 

 should be closely supervised by his superior officer. Detection may 

 require the use of airplanes now and then, at times when the observa- 

 tion stations are not effective or in places where they do not suffici- 

 ently command a view of the entire terrain. The major uses of air- 

 planes in protection, however, are now in suppression activities, to 

 scout fires and to transport men and supplies rapidly. Detection 

 should be improved by inducing landowners, residents, and the 

 traveling public to report all fires promptly. 



The State suppression force must be organized with two funda- 

 mental points in mind. The first is that of starting promptly to a 

 fire with equipment and men as soon as it is reported ; the second is 

 that of staying with it until it is dead out. Presuppression activities, 

 getting ready for fires, should be well looked after. Equipment should 

 be purchased, put in first-class shape, and made available for quick 

 use; needed roads and trails should be developed as rapidly as possi- 

 ble; sources of water should be located, marked, and improved; the 

 men in permanent employ should be schooled and trained in the best 

 known methods of fire suppression; they should be required to know 

 their territory intimately; crews of fire fighters should be organized 

 beforehand wherever that is possible; and arrangements should be 

 made in advance for transportation, food, and other supplies for fire 

 fighters in those relatively inaccessible regions where it is necessary 

 to provide camps for the men. Preparation for fires and training of 

 men to apply the most up-to-date suppression technique known are the 

 two main essentials of success. 



The methods set up for protection are in a constant evolutionary 

 process. They are being improved all the time. The emphasis given 

 to various elements of the field organization will vary by States and 

 regions. Forces of men that can be quickly mobilized and trans- 

 ported to the fires are fundamental features. Up-to-date equipment 

 in good repair and in sufficient quantities is essential. Adequate and 



