APPENDIX. Ivii 



fire is likely to last several hours arrangements for food 

 should also be effected. 



(f) Allocation of labour expected to arrive at the scene of the 

 fire. Besides the men who have already reached the 

 outbreak gangs will arrive from time to time. In order 

 that the services of such men may be utilised without 

 loss of time definite orders should be issued regarding 

 their allocation and duties. Members of the range staff 

 should on arrival solicit orders from the Range Officer. 

 The first step to take is to send the major portion of the fight- Beating 

 ing gang in the direction in which the wind is carrying the fire. ^ t 

 All the men should be equipped with extinguishers. Subordinates, counter- 

 preferably those with experience and local knowledge, should be fi re - 

 placed in charge of the main fighting body and they should be 

 ever on the alert to see that the men are distributed in the best 

 possible manner along the fire frontage. Men engaged in beating 

 out a fire require constant and unremitting supervision. The 

 spacing between individuals should be suitable and there are times 

 when crises arrive and have to be coped with promptly by efficient 

 handling of labour. Often in a crisis even seconds count and 

 decisions must be quickly made. Subordinates should, for the sake 

 of example, assist the men in beating out the fire and the more 

 energetically they work the more will the men strive to co-operate. 

 It should never be forgotten that a good example is of the utmost 

 value in fire fighting operations. Every endeavour should be made 

 to prevent the fire extending to protected grassy areas and nalas 

 holding heavy grass as such, when once on fire, assist enormously 

 in spreading the outbreak. A few men should be deputed to 

 follow the main body and deal with possible subsequent petty out- 

 breaks near the edge of the burnt area. 



While the main fighting gangs are engaged against the 

 flames ahead a sufficient number of men under subordinates 

 should be deputed to beat out the fire in the less impor- 

 tant directions. Usually this operation is not a difficult one 



