100 AUXILIARY FIREMEN READY TO STAND BY REGULAR FORCE

With 100 men now enrolled in its ranks, an ever increasing number of Harvard volunteers are joining the Cambridge Auxiliary Fire Department. Putting them through their paces every Friday afternoon, Captain George Friel. Massachusetts State Drill Master, and Fire Chief Herman E. Gutheim soon hope to have a group of well-trained reserve firemen.

Taking the place of regulars on fire trucks, they learn how to handle and operate fire hose, pumps, and aerial ladders in realistic drills. The volunteers lean everything from the fundamentals of a city water supply to the operation of modern fire alarm systems.

Equipment Complete

Supplied with complete fire-fighting equipment, the auxiliaries have the opportunity of working with some of the best apparatus in the state, that of the Cambridge Fire department. Carefully schooled in the strategy of attacking fires, they soon learn the meaning of speed and teamwork.

Besides learning how to battle fires, the Auxiliary is given a complete training in actual rescue work. Beyond the fundamentals of first-aid he finds out how to use a resuscitator and how to carry unconscious victims through smoke-filled building, supplied only with a smoke mask, and down Pompeii (sealing) ladders.

Work in Air Raids

In the event of air raid, Auxiliaries will supplement the regular fire crews in their fight against blazing incendiary bombs. They are not called out only during enemy attacks, however, since volunteer firemen respond to all second alarm fires.

Chief Gutheim pointed out that the Auxiliary Fire Department had lost many valuable men to the Armed Forces. Stating that it would take 1000 men to adequately man the Cambridge Department, he expressed his hope that all those who were able would join this important branch of Civilian Defense. Gutheim said that he had complete confidence in the fire-fighting ability of the Auxiliaries.

During the coming week members of the Cambridge auxiliary Fire Department will show movies of firemen in action. The pictures will be shown in each of the House dining halls this week, either during lunch or supper.