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Some particularly efficient fire fighting and fire prevention work has been done by Meriden, Conn., Scouts.

"The town of Meriden is surrounded with beautiful woods which were formerly the subject of many serious fires, which were permitted to burn for weeks at a time until a rain extinguished them.  For the past few years, the Boy Scouts have    added to their many lines of service this important work of protecting the woods from destruction by fire. The State Fire Warden and First Selectman have appointed the Scout  Executive as Town Fire Warden, and when a fire is reported, a truck is "commandeered" and Scouts are rushed to the scene with extinguishers and other apparatus furnished by the town and State. The boys have done noble work under extreme difficulties. If any one thinks it an easy job to face a scorching fire, with smoke from leaves and stumps, he has but to take an hour or so on the side of a mountain some hot day and attempt to beat back a good roaring blaze."

Scout Executive Roberts himself has this to say about how they do it:

"We have telephone mobilization and have the cooperation of the schools. If a fire occurs during school period, as many Scouts as are needed are excused at the request of the Scout Executive, who is the Town Fire Warden.

"Apparatus is stored in the basement of the Town Hall where we mobilize. A truck is commandeered, and in a short time our fire lines are extended. Parts of the force are in two divisions of "beaters," cedars being used to whip out the fire.

The two divisions alternate, so there is a short period of rest for breath given each division.  Another detail has rakes which are used to make paths, across which we try to prevent the fire from jumping.  Another division has charge of hand-pumps and pails, water being carried by bucket-brigade from nearest pool or stream.

"Our last fire could be seen fourteen miles from here and the Fire Warden from Bristol, Conn., telephoned to see if it had our attention.

"We had forty-seven Scouts on the scene in short order, and the recall was sounded by our bugler within an hour-and-a-half later."