a roof falls in with them, or an explosion blows a building up. In winter the water freezes as it falls on them. After one fire, the boots and gloves of the firemen were frozen on them and had to be cut off. Sometimes a fire company has to stay out thirty-six hours. Firemen never leave a spark, as careless campers often do, to start a new fire.
No matter how long they have been out fighting a fire, when they get back to the engine house the horses must be rubbed down, fed and watered, the engine must be cleaned, the fire raked from under the boilers and another fire laid ready for instant lighting. Only then can they bathe and eat and go to bed.
They go to bed to sleep with one ear open for the alarm. Day and night firemen are sentinels on duty, always ready to spring at the enemy. They are always ready to risk their lives to save the lives of others. Many cities pension their injured and worn out firemen, just as our country pensions soldiers. Don't you think all good citizens should be careful not to let fires get started? Even little boys and girls can be that kind of fire fighters.
