CONVENTION OF MONTANA FIREMEN

CONVENTION OF MONTANA FIREMEN

The twenty-fifth annual convention of the Montana State Firemen’s Association was held at Anaconda August 27-29, with more than 200 delegates present. Chief Charles Collins, of that city, president of the association, presided. In his opening address he said, in part: "We are meeting here to celebrate our silver anniversary; in connection with this, our annual convention. Our association came into existence at the same time that Montana became a State. As Montana has prospered and progressed so have the fire departments of the state. Twenty-five years ago a hand-drawn machine was the principal apparatus used. A department that could boast of a piece of horse-drawn apparatus was something out of the ordinary ; later horse-drawn apparatus became general all over the State. To-day hbrses are being replaced by motor apparatus. Already about fifteen departments in this State are equipped with cme or more pieces of motor apparatus. Along all other lines the fire departments of the State have shown rapid progress during the past quarter of a century. The meetings of this association from year to year have been instructive to firemen who have attended them, and 1 sincerely hope that the members will increase their interest in the association in the future which will have a tendency to keep the several departments of the State up to a high standard of efficiency. While there has been arranged numerous attractions and forms of amusement and entertainment during this convention, the fact must not be overlooked that our business sessions must not be neglected. We have a number of important topics which, if clearly discussed, as they should be, will be instructive to every fireman present. Delegates are assembled here from all parts of the State. They owe to themselves as well as to the municipalities which they represent to take an active interest in the business sessions of this convention and gain as much information and knowledge as possible along the lines of fire prevention and extinguishment. We all have the same object in view— that of preventing the loss of life and property from fire.”

Remarks by Chief Peter Sanger.