The method of marshalling the forces of the various brigades in case of a serious fire is interesting. Marshal Swenie explains it in a few words, in answer to a journalistic inquiry:—
“‘There is at each fire-station a running-card in connection with a particular fire-alarm box. All these brigades act on the first alarm. If the fire is in the crowded and costly part of the city not only do the nearest companies go to the fire, but the companies farther off move up. Suppose, for instance, that there is a fire at State and Madison streets, and there are four engine-houses in a straight line, extending in any direction to the city limits, and a mile apart. We will call the company nearest the fire No. 1, the next, No. 2, the next, No. 3, and the one farthest away, No. 4. Now, when No. 1 goes to the fire, No. 2 goes to the engine-house of No. 1 and takes possession; No. 3, in like manner, takes possession of No. 2’s house, and No. 4 of No. 3’s house. If there is a second alarm, No. 2 goes to the fire; No. 3 takes No. 1’s house, and No. 4 takes No. 3’s house. If there is a third alarm, No. 3 goes to the fire, and No. 4 takes No. 1’s house. Moreover, what is done in that one direction is done in every direction.”
“‘What is the object of this?’ asks the interviewing reporter from whom I borrow Marshal Swenie’s information.
“‘The object is to watch most closely the most valuable part of the city. A fire in the heart of the city destroys a hundred times as much property in a given time as a fire in the outskirts; therefore we arrange things so that if any part is to be left without protection it shall be the sparsely settled part.’
“‘Who directs the operation of extinguishing a fire?’
“‘The captain of the company that arrives first on the ground takes command of all the companies that arrive after his until a chief of a battalion arrives; and the chief takes command until the marshal or assistant marshal arrives.’
“‘What is the position of the commanding officer at a fire?’
“‘In front of the fire. By the front I mean to the leeward. A fire is always driven by the wind in one particular direction, and the marshal or commanding officer will always be found, therefore, where the fire is the hottest.’
“‘How do you communicate your orders in such a noise and excitement as there were, for instance, at the Bradner Smith & Co. fire?’