18 METHODS OF COMMUNICATION FOR FOREST PROTECTION 



1 PATROLMEN. Moving units, mainly preventive in function. They are 

 employed only where fires of human origin are likely to occur in considerable numbers, 

 such as around new settlements where they issue brush-burning permits and super- 

 vise burning operations. Along railways patrolmen combine detection with suppres- 

 sion, and through examination of spark arresters, etc., help with preventive measures. 



2 LOOKOUT MEN. Stationary units, whose only function of importance is detec- 

 tion. They are located on commanding peaks or other elevated stations from which 

 a great scope of country can be observed. 



3 " SMOKE CHASERS ". Largely stationary units whose principal duty is sup- 

 pression. They may be stationed with the lookout men or at points near the bulk of 

 the timber to be guarded, if the lookout station is not itself in a readily accessible and 

 central location. 



4 DISTRICT RANGER. The supervisory officer who directs the work of the preceding 

 units within a definite area or forest district and also has administrative control of 

 the main line of defence when larger fires must be controlled, and of the supports and 

 reserves. His chief executive assistants are: 



(a) Intelligence Officer or Scout. His duties are to secure information in regard 

 to the behaviour of fires and the progress of control work; 



(&) Packmaster and Quartermaster. As a rule these services will be directed 

 irom a central headquarters having control over a large number of ranger districts, 

 but in cases where the system of communication is not fully developed it is sometimes 

 necessary to establish separate supply departments for each of the smaller districts; 



(c) F.ire Bosses. In the more complete organizations each individual large fire 

 is handled by a special fire boss under whom are the various camp foremen in charge 

 of line crews. In many cases, however, the district ranger is himself the fire boss. 



5 SUPERVISOR. The officer having administrative control of a group of adjacent 

 forest districts. His chief executive officers are the district rangers in charge of 

 fire control aiid the following chiefs of special services: 



(a) Paymaster. The disbursing officer; 



(&) Paymasters. One or more officers in charge of transportation; 



(c) Quartermasters. One or more officers in charge of commissary. 



