When
the fire trucks are delayed 40 seconds in traffic, People say:
"It took them 20 minutes to get here."
When
the truck races at 50 M.P.H., it's:
"Look at those reckless fools."
When
three men struggle with a four-man ladder:
"They don't even know how to raise a ladder."
When
firemen open windows for ventilation to reduce heat in fighting a fire:
"Look at the wrecking crew."
When
they open the floor to get at a blaze:
"There goes the axe squad."
If
the oic stands back where he can see and direct his men, people say:
"He's afraid to go where he sends his men."
If
they lose a building:
"It's a lousy fire brigade."
If
they make a good "stop" folks say:
"The fire didn't amount to much."
If
lots of water is necessary:
"They are doing more damage with water than the flames."
If
a fireman gets hurt:
"He was a careless guy."
It
a citizen gets hurt:
"It's a crazy brigade."
If
a fireman inspects a citizen's property:
"He's meddling in somebody's business."
If
he gets killed and leaves a family destitute:
"That's the chance he took when he joined the fire
brigade."