Fire-bomb fighting calls not only for enthusiasm (of which the fire-fighters have plenty), but also for a knowledge of tactics to avoid unnecessary risks and waste of time.
One of the first things to be learnt in fire-bomb fighting is how to choose your bomb. For all fire-bombs falling out of doors are not equally dangerous; and those which fall in streets or open spaces, or on concrete roofs where fire is unlikely to spread, can be left until it is certain that all the fires in buildings nearby are being dealt with.
The outdoor fire-bomb to be tackled at once is the one that falls where it can start a large fire ? close to a wooden hoarding, for instance, or a car or petrol tank. Here you must act quickly, but with caution. The nearest sandbag is your weapon ? it is also your own defence.
Some incendiaries are liable to explode in their early stages, so that while you are approaching the bomb you should keep the sandbag in front of your face and chest for protection. Go no closer to the bomb than you need, put the sandbag squarely on it, and then get away quickly. To stay piling on more sandbags or treading in sand is unnecessary and involves unnecessary risk.
EFFICIENCY OF STIRRUP-PUMPS
For fire-bomb fighting indoors you should rely on the stirrup-pump. This little pump is not to be judged by its size. Given plenty of water, it can tackle a muck bigger fire than most people imagine, while two or three stirrup-pumps together are a really powerful combination.
By the time you are ready at the scene of action, you may find the room on fire as well as the bomb; but it is worth remembering that a great deal of heat and smoke does not necessarily mean a big fire.
Use the jet of the stirrup-pump to damp down the fire so that you can get into the room; and go forward on your hands and knees taking all the cover you can from doors, furniture or anything else in case the bomb should explode.
When the room is well alight it is best to leave the bomb for a while, and attack the fire first, using the jet of the stirrup-pump to play water on to the flames from as close a range as possible.
When you have checked the flames you should use the spray of the stirrup-pump to put out the bomb. You will see your way to it if you crawl along the floor to avoid smoke.
