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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrayton Fire School History 4 .. ..„, • r it. ,,...• , ,t,..„_... k .-' _________ . t t L. - ...A .o i .. . , A ,,,, wilits? _at_ :. .. c 11 ' .. . .- , \ I t pn„ ... _ .1 ' . --, • !Sri MO= 1.1 v.— p . — ,.. f.. . / -:- OWis Fire Protection Training Division f ir Texas Engineering Extension Service The Texas A &M University System College Station, Texas 77843 -8000 Office: 409/845 -7641 Fax: 409/847 -9304 /0/0) g I . ddirit 6Y . 5 . " st itt r tel a i 1 e 1 , t 1 9 t5-- TEXAS FIREMEN'S TRAINING SCHOOL History (1930 -1974) In 1929 the Fifth District, now known as the Lower Rio Grande Valley District of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas, petitioned the State Association to establish a statewide training program primarily for volunteer fire departments. The State Association accepted this proposal and contacted officials at the University of Texas and Texas A &M College to discuss the proposal of such a training program. Because of the very warm reception by Texas A &M College Officials, Dr. T. 0. Walton and Dr. F. C. Hedges, the Association agreed to establish the training school at A &M, and assigned the function to the Chemistry Department under Dr. C. C. Hedges. Dr. Hedges assigned Professor Harold R. Brayton, Freshman Chemistry faculty member, to be the School's Director and instructed him to proceed toward planning and conducting an annual fire school program the following May, 1930. This first school was a combined effort of the State Association, the College, and the City of Bryan Fire Department. It consisted of two days of instruction and drill ground practices, and was followed by the semi -annual convention of the East Texas Firemen's District. This first school was attended by 196 fire fighters representing 76 cities and towns. The staff of instructors included personnel from the Department of Chemistry of the College, Fire Chiefs from several of the larger cities of the state, and the Chief and members of the Bryan Fire Department. Following this first venture in training, members of the State Association and other interested members of the fire service then initiated legislative support for official authorization of a fire training school. During the 1931 regular session of the Texas Legislature, a bill was introduced (House Bill No. 921) which authorized and directed the Board of Directors of A &M College tc_ create and operate a firemen's training school as a part of said college, providing for the creation of a Board to advise in the conducting of the school, and making appropriations for the operation of the school. They further authorized the establishment of the "Firemen's Training School Advisory Board" to be composed of three members of the teaching staff of the college, to be appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and four members or representatives from the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas, to be appointed by the President of the Association. The bill also outlined the duties and responsibilities of the Advisory Board. This bill was passed in the Hquse and Senate and became effective May 26, 1931. Upon passage of the legislation creating the Firemen Training School, - an Advisory Board was appointed. Individuals included: College Members Association Members Dr. T. 0. Walton - 1930 -43* Olin Culberson - 1932 -39 Dr. Frank C. Bolton - 1930 -61* W. P. Walker - 1932 -42 Dr. C. C. Hedges - 1930 -47* Johnny McKinney - 1932 -33 Dr. Gibb Gilchrist - 1944 -47 Frank Hamner - 1932 -33 Dean H. W. Barlow - 1948 -54 Harry Kerr - 1934 -36 E. L. Williams - 1948 -53 Chester Cherry - 1934 -36 H. D. Bearden - 1954 -73 Charles R. Ramsey - 1937 -52 Dr. John C. Calhoun, Jr. - 1956- Present Johnny O'Brien - 1937 -52 Dean Fred J. Benson - 1961 - Present B. J. Korman - 1940 -43 James R. Bradley - 1974 - Present Chester Creuzbar - 1941 -52 G. F. Dohrn - 1943 -70 Irwin W. Speckels - 1944 -55 & 1961 -71 Royce C. Hogg - 1954 -60 Paul B. Conley - 1955 -62 D. C. Musick - 1953 -68 Vernon B. Rucker - 1963 -71 Mason Lankford - 1969 - Present W. E. Zorn - 1971- Present W. Hershel Sharp - 1971 - Present David Clabaugh - 1972- Present * Represented Texas A &M College as Administrative Officials during 1930 -1931; and subsequently appointed to the Advisory Board in 1932 in accordance with legislative direction. An annual one -week Firemen's Training School was conducted by the Chemistry Department under the supervision of Professor H. R. Brayton from 1930 to September, 1947. In addition, Chief Frank Williams was employed to conduct extension classes which consisted of one -day meetings for area departments throughout the State. On September 1, 1947, a proposal was offered by the Advisory Board to consolidate the training activities with one being conducted by the Industrial Extension Service for military installations during World War II. At this time, the two programs were merged. The staff was increased with Chiefs Otis Muenster, James R.-Dobson and Paul R. Williams added by the merger. Chief Frank Williams left to become the State Firemen's Pension Commissioner and L. 0. Bynum was his replacement. Later in 1947, A. L. Cartwright was added to the staff. In 1949, Paul R. Williams and A. L. Cartwright resigned and were replaced by E. W. Parker in November, 1949, and Henry D. Smith in January, 1950. A new position was authorized and Joe Fogley was employed in January, 1950. Professor Brayton served as the head of the fire school from its inception until World War II, when he was recalled into the Chemical Warfare Department. During this interim, Dr. C. C. Hedges assumed responsibilities for the school as Director. Following the war, Colonel H. R. Brayton returned to A&M College when the two programs were merged, took leave from his teaching duties and was appointed as the Director of the school. He served in this capacity until October 1, 1955, when he was granted leave of absence to serve with the Executive Department of the State of Texas, Division of Defense and Disaster Relief. On this date, Henry D. Smith was appointed Acting Chief of the Firemen's Training School, and following the death of Colonel H. R. Brayton in January, 1957, he was appointed Chief of the program and has served in this capacity to the present time. This must be an outstanding example of dedication and devotion, and a tribute to an outstanding program, that in nearly 43 years of service, only two individuals have served as head of the school, Colonel H. R. Brayton and the present Chief, Henry D. Smith. This program presently known as the Texas Firemen's Training School is conducted by the Texas Engineering Extension Service of the Texas A &M University System. The annual school has progressed through the years from the 196 students in 1930, representing 76 cities and towns, to the Forty -Fifth Annual Firemen's Training School conducted in 1974, for a three week period, involving 4,170 individuals representing 1,009 cities and towns from 44 states - of the United States and 30 foreign countries. The following chart depicts the growth of the training school from its inception to the present: Towns Total Year Represented Attendance 1930 76 196 1935 203 487 1940 272 566 1945 279 485 (World War II) 1950 314 558 1955 435 1235 1960 442 1622 1965 527 2041 1970 737 2993 1971 914 3121 1974 1009 4170 In 1954, it was evident that there was a need for training in the areas of Industrial Fire Protection. A class was added to the annual school specializ- ing in this field. Most of the program consisted of lectures presented by leaders recognized in their particular area of fire control. Classes were recessed for one day to permit the members of the industrial class to "visit" the fire field and observe the municipal fire fighters in action. Ten years later, in 1963, this class had grown to the extent that the school was expanded to include a second week, the Industrial Fire Protection Course. In 1963, the Industrial Course had a total attendance of 104 registered students, and eleven years later in 1974, a full week of field evolutions and conference sessions had been planned for 1229 registered students with a total attendance of 1557. The year 1967, marked another expansion in the Texas Fire School program as the need for instruction in the Spanish language became evident. The first venture in this phase of training was most successful and encouraging. The Spanish speaking program was continued and in 1971, there was a total - attendance of 208 students from 66 cities and towns from spanish speaking countries. The growth and advancement of the Texas Firemen's Training School has not been without trials, tribulations and many disappointments. Had it not have been for the tremendous support and assistance of equipment manufacturers, distributors, sales representatives and industry, the growth would not have been possible. Several years ago, two of the staff instructors started to attempt'to figure the cost of the equipment loaned and donated to the school, and when they reached $520,000, they stopped. This amount does not include the salaries of the hundreds of representatives of these organizations who also donate their time and travel. Words cannot describe the great credit that is due municipalities, industry, equipment representatives and the armed services for their contributions to the fantastic growth of the school. And, as will be noted later in a brief description of the expansion program, even greater ventures await the fire service, from this school, in the future. The physical facilities necessary to operate a training program of this magnitude must also gradually advance. The transition from the original training school conducted more or less "on the street" by the Bryan Fire Department, to a 26 acre planned facility, with permanent structures and modern water systems and fuel systems was not easy. The first permanent site was a 15 acre plot adjacent to the married students housing area on the north side of the campus. The staff of the fire school "acquired" materials wherever they could be found. The fuel was donated and the donating company hauled it to the field and it was pumped from the truck to the project. In fact, a week of training could be conducted from a medium size tank truck of fuel. The present field has a fuel storage capacity of 120,000 gallons, and is_pumped through pipe lines to the various projects. - In the early days of the program when word leaked out that a building was to be torn down on the campus, "procurement officers" from the fire school staff would immediately contact proper college officials until authorization was obtained that the structure could be transferred to the training school. Some of the staff members would then don their work clothes and start the demolition process; then, reconstruction on the fire field. In the middle 1950's,- the school obtained through surplus, an old GI five ton tractor and an oil field float (trailer) and more improvements were made on the fire field as they were able to locate pipe, metal structures, etc., which they hauled to the field. Most of this equipment was obtained through a strong A&M Former Students Association, which is interested in the promotion of the University's activities. A tank truck was donated by one of the oil companies which enabled the staff to haul in fuel themselves to supply the rapidly expanding field evolutions. Again, contacts were made over the state for waste fuel, contaminated fuel or anything liquid that would burn and could be transported to the fire field. In the middle 1950's during the rapid expansion of the field activities, it was a standard joke among the staff members that in addition to qualifications as an instructor, and fire service experience, a potential instructor also must possess a valid commercial drivers license that he could take his turn hauling. Many times the engine of that old truck would barely cool off until another instructor was in the cab and off for another load. In 1960, the expansion of the University (The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas now known as Texas A &M University) required more land for expanding the married students housing adjacent to the fire field, therefore, together with University officials, the fire school staff started exploring potential locations for a new fire training field. Following several months of inspecting possible locations, and taking into consideration water supply, accessibility, and area for future expansion, the present site near the University air terminal was selected and the land transferre to the Firemen's Training School. The first year at the new location was rather,,difficult. Gravel and dirt roads, a narrow roadway over an earthen dam and rain at inopportune times, made moving to the new location rather distressing. Finally in 1961, with dirt streets and very few permanent structures, the first school on the new field was conducted. Water supply became very critical since the water storage reservoir, now in use, had not been constructed and water for the fire projects was supplied from a water main with hydrants which looped the fire field, but, which also was fed from the main that supplied a Swimming Pool type Nuclear Reactor located about a quarter of a mile down the road from the fire field. It was soon discovered that if too many projects were fired at the same time, the water was pulled from the reactor, and water being critical to the type reactor, adjustments were necessary. A staggered system of firing the projects was devised. Then the next problem reared its ugly head. In training fire fighters, you will occasionally encounter some individuals who will close a nozzle too fast, thereby creating "water hammer" in the water mains. It was soon learned that due to the nearness of the fire field to the reactor, closing nozzles too rapidly was causing water hammer and breaking out connections in plastic piping in the reactor. Several years later and through the efforts of many University and State officials, the fire field was developed into one of the finest practical training areas available. Engineered black top streets and roads, a one and three quarter million gallon water reservoir, concrete block structures for fires, a permanent fire extinguisher laboratory, sprinkler system facility, pump maintenance laboratory, multiple story industrial evolutions and projects and a complete disaster rescue training set are only the beginning of this training area. Through the efforts of Chief Henry D. Smith, the Firemen's Training School Advisory Board and the officers and members of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas, an appropriation of nearly one and one half million dollars, for a three year period, has been designated for expansion of the training field and new facilities. This, coupled with - other sources of revenue, will involve nearly two million dollars for expansion of training facilities and equipment. Included in the expansion program, which will terminate in the fiscal year 1974 -75, are three 1,000 gpm Triple Combination Pumpers, two 500 gallons Booster Trucks (one 2 -wheel drive and one 4 -wheel drive); one Salvage- Rescue Truck; and one 100' Aerial Ladder Truck; one 65' Aerial Platform Truck; 1 -1/2" - 2-1/2' - 3" and 6 ".Fire Hose; numerous teaching aids for the_fire field; firefighting tools and.. equipment; protective clothing and equipment for personnel. At the present time, the proposed training aid facilities (structures) for the field include Fire Apparatus Engine Test facility; Pump Operation Training facility; Fire Pump and Visual Aid facility; 5 level Hose and Ladder Training facility; Fixed Automatic Gas Vapor Control facility; High Voltage Electrical Test and Demonstration facility (69,000 volts); Run -Down Petroleum ' Tank training facility; Wheeled Dry Chemical Test and Training facility; Extra Hazardous Chemical Training facility; Hose Evolution Training facility; Equipment Storage- Maintenance facility; Liquefied Petroleum Gas Equipment Visual Aids facility; Petroleum - Chemical Training facility (3 level); Spill Fire Test and Training facility; Foam Tank Test and Training facility (117 ft.); Fire Department Communications Training Aid facility; Breathing Apparatus Visual Aid facility; Salvage - Overhaul Training facility; Fire Flame and Heat Training facility (3 level); Floating Roof Tank Training facility; and a Retail- Warehouse Fire Training facility. Also included will be the extension of the Fire Water Distribution System and the extension of the Fuel Distribution System. Supporting facilities included in the expansion program include; Water Reservoir Maintenance; Fire Water Distribution System; Domestic Water System; Fuel Storage System; Electrical Service System; Utility Shop; Communications System; Waste Oil Collection System and Real Estate Improvements. The training field in use at the present time consist of 26 acres and will be expanded in three directions, and when completed will encompass approximately -62 acres of improved training area. Most of the area will be floodlighted for night use and telephone, radio and public address systems will extend to each project in all areas of the field. By 1977, the firemen training center will be valued in excess of $3.6 million. A well- rounded program is in operation at the present time at the Texas Firemen's Training School. In addition to the annual fire schools conducted each summer, a year -round recruit training program is now in operation, completing 325 hours of training in eight weeks. This training will satisfy the minimum requirements of the new Texas Law on certification as prescribed by the Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education. Training classes are also conducted each week through the year in Industrial Fire Control, Disaster Rescue Training and specialized week -end classes for volunteers and small paid departments. New programs are being planned for communications training, high -rise fire control; LNG schools; aerial and platform operators training, staff and command schools and other specialized conferences, seminars and schools as need indicates. Attachments: House Bill 921 Consolidated Information Sheet 1974 Statistical Summary 1974 Annual Report .t B47- 331.8M -L GENERAL LAWS OP THE STATE OF TEXAS PASSED BY TICS - FORTY- SECOND LEGISLATURE AT THE REGULAR SESSION CONVENED AT TEE CITY OF AUSTIN, JANUARY 13, 1931 AND ADJOURNED MAY 23, 1931 PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS vW "01,/ N, x .c� Or k �r W v * . ti r o f MRS. JANE Y. McCALLUM, Secretary of State 382 GENERAL. LAws. • license required of him by this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten ($10) dollars nor more than one hundred ($100) dollars ; provided, the provisions of this act shall not apply to a resident citizen of Texas who holds a license for commercial fishing under Article 4032 of the Revised Civil Statutes of Texas of 1925, so long as he does only commercial fishing. SEC. 3. The fact that non - residents of the State of Texas are fishing in the waters of the State of Texas without paying a license for the privilege, thereby depleting the supply of fish, and the further fact that the calendar is crowded, creates an emergency and imperative public necessity that the constitu- tional rule requiring bills to be. read on three several days in each House be suspended, and said rule is hereby suspended, and this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its pas- sage, and it is so enacted. Approved May 26, 1931. Effective 90 days after adjournment. [NOTE: H. B. No. 836 passed the House by a viva voce vote; passed the Senate by a viva voce vote.] in> FIREMEN'S TRAINING SCHOOL AT A. & M. COLLEGE. H. B. No. 921.] CHAPTER 228. An Act authorizing and directing the board of directors and other manag- ing officers of A. & M. College to create and operate a firemen's train- ing school as a part of said college, providing for the creation of a board to advise in the conducting of the same, making an appropria- tion therefor, and declaring an emergency. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas: SECTION 1. That the board of directors or other managing officers of the A. & M. College of Texas be and they are hereby authorized and directed from and after the passage of this act to create, conduct and maintain a firemen's training school in conjunction as a part of said college in such manner as to said board may seem most expedient and advisable. SEC. 2. There is hereby created what shall be known as the "Firemen's Training School Advisory Board" which shall be composed of three (3) members of the teaching staff of said school to be appointed by the chairman of the board of directors of said college, and four (4) members or representatives of the association known as the "State Firemen's Association of Texas" or its successor; said members to be appointed and designated by the president or other managing officer of said association, and said advisory board shall confer and advise with the board • • FORTY- SECOND LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION. 383 of of directors of said college with reference to the curriculum organization and said school, the purchasing of equipment, of ten program and its conduct and management. he _ for the fiscal thousand dollars ($10,000) is hereby appropriated year 1932, and the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the fiscal year 1933 is hereby appropriated out of any sum not other- wise appropriated, out of the general revenue fund for the pur- pose of purchasing equipment and paying the expenses of such school for the next two (2) years, including the per diem ex- penses of the advisory board, as well as other necessary all cha n antes of such school, all of such expenditures of any and shall be made only upon order of the board of directors and no warrants on this fund shall ever be paid unless same shall be also approved in writing by the President of the A. & M. College, who shall be advised with in all the matters and conduct of such school. SEC. 3. The fact that there is no school in Texas for the instructing of volunteer firemen and fire marshals which results in the unnecessary destruction of property by fire and the re- sultant high fire insurance rates, and that the establishment of such school will result in the reduction of the key rate of insurance in many of cities and towns whose representatives attend such schools, and that the State Firemen's Association of Texas, composed of volunteer firemen, has requested that such a school be created, and that the same would be a_. wise and economical measure, creates an emergency and an impera- tive public necessity that the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended, and said rule is hereby suspended, and it is so enacted. Approved May 26, 1931. . Effective May 26, 1931. [NOTE: H. B. No. 921 passed the House by a vote of 107 yeas; 4 nays ; passed the Senate by a vote of 29 yeas, 1 nay.] DELINQUENT TAXES, METHOD OF COLLECTION. S. B. No. 51 CHAPTER 229. An Act declaring the policy of the State with reference to delinquent taxes; providing for the collection of said taxes and for the installment of a tax or plat system; and providing for the Comptroller and the ssio m s persons to collect delinquenthtaxes and to install to tax employ competen stem; per and declaring an emergency. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas: SECTION 1. It is hereby declared the Policy of the State to adjust delinquent taxes, correct errors, to eliminate conflicts Copy from General Laws of Texas - Regular Session 1931 Firemen's Training School at A. & M. College House Bill No. 921 An act authorizing and directing the Board of Directors and other managing officers of A. & M. College to create and operate a firemen's training school as a part of said college, providing for the creating of a board to advise in the con- ducting of the same, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas: Section 1. That the Board of Directors or other managing officers of the A. & M. College of Texas be and they are hereby authorized and directed from and after the passage of this act to create, conduct and maintain a firemen's training school in conjunction as a part of said college in such manner as to said board may seem most expedient and advisable. Section 2. There is hereby created what shall be known as the "Firemen's Training School Advisory Board" which shall be composed of three (3) members of the teaching staff of said school to be appointed by the chairman of the board of directors of said college and four (4) members or representatives of the associa- tion known as the "State Firemen's Association of Texas" or its successor; said members to be appointed and designated by the president or other managing officer of said association, and said advisory board shall confer and advise with the board of directors of said college with reference to the organization of said school, the purchasing of equipment, the curriculum and program and its conduct and management. The sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) is hereby appropri- ated for the fiscal year 1932, and the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for the fiscal year 1933 is hereby appropriated out of any sum not otherwise apprupriated, out of the general revenue fund for the purpose of purchasing equipment and paying the expenses of such school for the next two (2) years, in- cluding the per diem expenses of the advisory board, as well as other necessary expenses of such school, all of such expenditures of any or all character shall be made only upon order of the board of directors and no warrants on this fund shall ever be paid unless same shall be also approved in writing by the President of the A. & M. College who shall be advised with in all matters and conduct of such school. Section 3. The fact that there is no school in Texas for the instructing of volunteer firemen and fire marshals which results in the unnecessary destruction of property by fire and the resultant high fire insurance rates, and that the establishment of such school will result in the reduction of the key rate of insurance in many cities and towns whose representatives attend such schools, and that the State Firemen's Association of Texas, composed of volunteer firemen, has requested that such a school be created, and that the same would be a wise and economical measure, creates an emergency and an imperative public necessity that the constitutional rules requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended, and it is so enacted. Approved May 26, 1931 Effective May 26, 1931 (Note: H. B. 921 passed the House by a vote of 107 yeas; 4 nays, passed the Senate by a vote of 29 yeas, 1 nay.) This is on record: Article 2615a - Vernon's Texas Statutes. A PROPOSED PLAN for the CONSOLIDATION of the FIREMEN'S TRAINING PROGRAMS of THE AGRICULTURAL and MECHANICAL COLLEGE of TEXAS UNDER THE AUSPICES of the TEXAS FIREMEN'S and FIRE MARSHALS ASSOCIATION EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 1947 -- L It is proposed that the two firemen training programs conducted by the A. & M. College of Texas be put together as one "over -all" fire prevention and training service in accordance with the following plans: . 1. TWO PRESENT PROGRAMS A. Firemen's Training School - 1. Conducted by the Department of Chemistry. 2. Holds an Annual one week school on the A. & M. College campus. 3. Employs one field instructor who holds one night meetings with fire departments on a planned itinerary. 4. Under direction of H. R. Brayton, Professor of Chemistry. 5. Under the guidance of an Advisory Committee of representative firemen and College officials. B. Extension Firemen Training 1. Conducted by the Industrial Extension Service. 2. Holds schools in local communities in which firemen are trained in the proper use and maintenance of their own equipment in handling local hazards. 3. Employs three fulltime instructors. 4. Summary of work July 1, 1946 - June 30, 1947. Schools held in 41 towns Total number of men enrolled - 607 Schools operated for 30 to 150 clock hours as needs demanded 12 fire departments organized or reorganized. 2. PROPOSED RE- ORGANIZATION A. Put both programs under one administrative and supervisory department - The Industrial Extension Service. 1. To be conducted under the control and guidance of the Advisory Committee of the present Firemen's Training School as provided by statute. • - 2 - 2. H. R. Brayton to be employed as full time director of the complete program of training. 3. The name of the new organization to be "The Texas Firemen's Training ' r School," 4. Other personnel to include: a. The field instructor of the present Firemen's Training School. ,b. The three (3) extension instructors of the Industrial Extension Service. c. An additional instructor to be employed as budget permits. d. A half time secretary. B. Services to include: 1. The Annual Firemen's Training School at College. 2. Local Department Schools a. Basic operational training (itinerary to be arranged to give preference to towns most in need of training and time spent to vary in communities as determined by training needs). b. Short unit courses in special phases of fire prevention and protection as found needed. c. Training industrial fire brigades (emphasis on cooperation of municipal and plant departments in fire prevention and control in the plant). d. Training attendants and designated personnel of state institu- tions on request. e. Consulting service in field of Fire Prevention and Training. f. Assistance to state and local agencies in fire prevention. 3. Publish training manual bulletins and other literature as needed. C. Finances The budget of the combined program to be made up of funds from both the Industrial Extension Service_and the Firemen's Training School. The budget and the expenditure of the funds to be administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the rules and regulations of the _ A. and M. College of Texas. -3- Summary: The Annual Firemen's Training School is reputed to be the best in America. The extension firemen's training program has the distinction of being the most effective of all state programs for the training of local firemen. The two services put together should become the largest and most efficient - fire training program in America. Approved and signed by members of Advisory Board: Representing State Firemen's and Firemarshals Association Judge G. F. Dohrn - Mission Chief 1. W. Speckels - Schulenburg Chief J. M. O'Brien - Fort Worth Chief Chester Creuzbaur - La Grange Representing A. & M. College Dean F. C. Bolton, Texas A. & M. College E. L. Williams, Vice Director Engineering Extension Service Secretary of Board - H. R. Brayton STATE AGENCY BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE Y name: FIREMEN'S TRAINING Agency SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD °RAPT g TEXAS ENGINEERING EXTENSION Address and phone: The Texas A &M University System College Station, Texas 77843 -8000 (409) 845 -7225 Name and title of administrator: James R. Bradley, Chairman Year created: 1931 Why created: To advise the Board of Regents of The Texas A &M University,System concerning the Texas Firemen's Training School, its organization, equipment, curriculum, program and management. Brief history (include significant dates, projects, etc.): Recognizing that there was no school in Texas to train firemen and fire marshals and that because of this need, there was unnecessary destruction of property resulting in higher fire insurance rates; House Bill 921 of the Regular Session 1931, created the Texas Firemen's Training School and authorized and directed Texas A &M University (then known to as A &M College) to operate the school. The act also created the Firemen's Training School Advisory Board to provide the Board advice concerning the operation of the Firemen's Training School. The Advisory Board is composed of seven members, three members appointed by the Chairman of The Board of Regents from The A &M University System and four members appointed by the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association from the fire service. Please Use Extra Paper If Needed Current functions: 1) RA Fr Provides the Director of the Texas Engineering Extension Service with advice concerning the Texas Firemen's Training School organization, equipment curriculum and program and assists in the development of a long range plan for fire training. Regulatory responsibilities: • Goals: To provide specific areas of instruction in the most effective methods of fire" prevention, fire suppression, disaster control and rescue operations for emergency personnel. How agency has changed over time (structure, functions, objectives, etc.): Today the Texas Firemen's Training School is conducted by the Fire Protection Training Division of the Texas Engineering Extension Service, a part of the Texas A &M University System. Since 1933, the Advisory Board has directed the school's growth and expansion. Training offered meets the expanding and ever - changing needs of Texas by providing firefighters with the most up -to -date and high quality instruction. Please Use Extra Paper If Needed A PROPOSED PLAN for the CONSOLIDATION of the FIREMEN'S TRAINING PROGRAMS of THE AGRICULTURAL and MECHANICAL COLLEGE of TEXAS UNDER THE AUSPICES of the TEXAS FIREMEN'S and FIRE MARSHALS ASSOCIATION EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 1947 It is proposed that the two firemen training programs conducted by the A. & M. College of Texas be put together as one "over -all" fire prevention and training service in accordance with the following plans: 1. TWO PRESENT PROGRAMS A. Firemen's Training School 1. Conducted by the Department of Chemistry. 2. Holds an Annual one week school on the A. & M. College campus. 3. Employs one field instructor who holds one night meetings with fire departments on a planned itinerary. 4. Under direction of H. R. Brayton, Professor of Chemistry. 5. Under the guidance of an Advisory Committee of representative firemen and College officials. B. Extension Firemen Training 1. Conducted by the Industrial Extension Service. 2. Holds schools in local communities in which firemen are trained in the proper use and maintenance of their own equipment in handling local hazards. 3. Employs three fulltime instructors. 4. Summary of work July 1, 1946 - June 30, 1947. Schools held in 41 towns Total number of men enrolled - 607 Schools operated for 30 to 150 clock hours as needs demanded 12 fire departments organized or reorganized. 2. PROPOSED RE- ORGANIZATION A. Put both programs under one administrative and supervisory department - The Industrial Extension Service. 1. To be conducted under the control and guidance of the Advisory Committee of the present Firemen's Training School as provided by statute. - 2 - 2. H. R. Brayton to be employed as full time director of the complete program of training. 3. The name of the new organization to be "The Texas Firemen's Training School." 4. Other personnel to include: a. The field instructor of the present Firemen's Training School. b. The three (3) extension instructors of the Industrial Extension Service. c. An additional instructor to be employed as budget permits. d. A half time secretary. B. Services to include: 1. The Annual Firemen's Training School at College. 2. Local Department Schools a, Basic operational training (itinerary to be arranged to give preference to towns most in need of training and time spent to vary in communities as determined by training needs). b. Short unit courses in special phases of fire prevention and protection as found needed. c. Training industrial fire brigades (emphasis on cooperation of municipal and plant departments in fire prevention and control in the plant). d. Training attendants and designated personnel of state institu- tions on request. e. Consulting service in field of Fire Prevention and Training. f. Assistance to state and local agencies in fire prevention. 3. Publish training manual. bulletins and other literature as needed. C. Finances The budget of the combined program to be made up of funds from both the Industrial Extension Service and the Firemen's Training School. The budget and the expenditure of the funds to be administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the rules and regulations of the A. and M. College of Texas. -3- Summary: The Annual Firemen's Training School is reputed to be the best in America. The extension firemen's training program has the distinction of being the most effective of all state programs for the training of local firemen. The two services put together should become the largest and most efficient fire training program in America. Approved and signed by members of Advisory Board: Representing State Firemen's and Firemarshals Association Judge G. F. Dohrn - Mission Chief I. W. Speckels - Schulenburg Chief J. M. O'Brien - Fort Worth Chief Chester Creuzbaur - La Grange Representing A. & M. College Dean F. C. Bolton, Texas A. & M. College E. L. Williams, Vice Director Engineering Extension Service Secretary of Board - H. R. Brayton r Release 10 a.m. Saturday, Texas A. and M. News June 25, and thereafter June 25, 1960 COLLEGE STATION, Texas, June--- (Spl) - -- Directors of the Texas A. and M. College System, meeting here today, honored the late Col. H. R. Brayton, pioneer in the training of Texas firemen, by designating the Texas Engineering Extension Ser- vice's new firemen's training area the "Brayton Firemen Train- ing Field." Col. Brayton, who died in 1957, began offering short courses for the training of Texas firemen in 1930, while he was a member of the chemistry department staff at Texas A. and M. College. Beginning the training program with less than twenty students, Col. Brayton, before his retirement in 1955 from active direction of the firemen's training program, saw the program expanded to an annual firemen's training school at A. and M., plus off - campus training courses that were statewide in scope. During his tenure as director of firemen's training for the Industrial Extension Service of A. and M., and later the Texas Engineering Extension Service, Brayton directed the training of an estimated 50,000 Texas firemen. These men attended schools on the A. and M. campus, and at locations scattered over the state. For the first eighteen years of his service, Brayton and one itinerant fireman training instructor, carried out the entire program of instruction for Texas firefighters other than the few large city courses operated by city departments. Success of Brayton's training program for firemen resulted several years ago in insurance credits of from three to five percent in key rates for fire insurance being granted to com- 2. munities whose firemen received training at the annual schools conducted on the A. and M. campus and over the state. The Texas program has also received international recog- nition as a model for development of trained firemen, and during the past five years it has been expanded to include the training of Civil Defense and disaster relief rescue instructors and team members. The annual firemen's training school of the Engineering Extension Service, at College Station, held each July, now attracts about 1,500 men, from Texas departments and from out -of -state city fire departments, and from industrial and governmental installations. Last July's school drew some 1,600 student firemen, in- structors, and administrators concerned with firefighting de- partments to the campus, from Texas and 16 other states, plus firemen from Mexico, the Netherlands and Canada. This year's annual summer school will be held July 18 -22, at the newly completed training area near Easterwood Field, the Texas A. and M. College airport at College Station. The training area includes facilities for training firemen in fighting both residence and industrial types of fires, plus a model village for use in Civil Defense and disaster relief crew training. -30-