RAILWAY FOREST FIRES 23 



General Provisions 



So far as practicable, the work of patrol has been combined 

 with the other regular duties of your employees, but where this 

 action has not been specifically indicated the patrol force is to be 

 a specially organized and specially supervised body of men, 

 who shall perform, to the exclusion of other duties, the patrol and 

 other fire-protective work indicated in the Regulations of the Board 

 and specified herein. 



In every case where special or section patrols are required, 

 special instructions must be issued and special supervision must 

 be provided by the Company. 



As a matter of record, velocipede patrolmen passing telegraph 

 stations shall be reported the same as passing trains and such 

 records shall be freely open to the inspection of any authorized 

 officer of the Board. 



Each foot patrolman shall be equipped with one shovel and 

 one canvas bucket. Each velocipede patrolman shall be equipped 

 with two shovels, two canvas buckets and one axe. In addition 

 to the above, and to the regular section equipment, there shall be 

 stored at the tool house for each section in each patrol district 

 the following emergency fire-fighting equipment : one axe, three 

 mattocks and four buckets of not less than twelve quarts capacity 

 each. Equipment for the transportation of patrolmen will also be 

 furnished by the Company as indicated. 



The object sought to be obtained by the regulations of the 

 Board and by the instructions issued under them, is the prevention 

 of railway fires. It is desired to avoid as far as possible the imposi- 

 tion of unnecessary expense upon the railway companies, and it is 

 fully realized that the danger of fire will necessarily vary between 

 wide limits during the long season prescribed by the regulations.-- 

 There is no doubt that a very efficient system of fire control can be 

 established at a minimum of expense if proper provision is made for 

 increasing or decreasing the force as conditions may require or 

 permit. To this end, an average patrol force has been prescribed, 

 with which to begin work, and the various Fire Inspectors appointed 

 by the Board have authority to waive the requirements wholly or 

 in part, from time to time, as may be practicable, it being understood 

 that the roadmaster will restore such patrol upOn request of the 

 Board's representative. 



In order to make the system properly effective, it is essential 

 that your general superintendents be authorized and directed to 

 furnish additional men for patrol work from time to time, as re- 

 quested by the superior field officer of the Board having jurisdiction. 



It is essential also that the necessity be impressed upon your 

 employees of complying in the utmost good faith with the pro- 

 visions of Regulation 14 of Order 16570. In particular, section 

 men shall be instructed that they must give the same attention 

 to fire that they do to the safety of the track. On this basis, it is 

 believed that damage by railway fires can be very greatly reduced 

 in the future, at a minimum of cost to the Company. 



Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter. 

 Yours very truly, 



Clyde Leavitt, 

 Chief Fire Inspector, B. R. C. 



