Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1942)

28 SHOWMEN'STRADEREVIEW September 12, 1942 Gird for Fighting Front Against The Fire Menace 10 MOST COMMON FIRE CAUSES IN LAST 10 YEARS Number of Fires Loss 1. Matches — Smoking 1,238,275 $174,979,768 2. Misuse of electricity 416,866 94,848,885 3. Exposure (fire originating off premises) 322,698 156,560,237 4. Sparks on roofs 300,994 70,208,310 5. Overheated or defective chimneys, flues, etc 291,181 119,985,311 6. Lightning 259,591 50,516,178 7. Stoves, furnaces, boilers, and their pipes 253,382 100,344,879 3. Open lights 245,512 24,878,160 9. Petroleum and its products 221,725 77,897,461 10. Hot ashes and coals — Open fires 189,111 26,624,942 Safety Measures Demanded of Theatremen Also Have Direct Effect on Box-Office Theatres Urged to Aid Local ^'Fire Prevention Week" as Important Wartime Duty The designation of October 4-10 as Fire Prevention Week has special significance for theatremen this year. In his proclamation designating the date for observance of Fire Prevention Week, President Roosevelt called attention to the particular importance of the threat to war production from the menace of fire, and in assigning the U. S. Office of Civilian Defense to take leadership of the observance of Fire Prevention Week, the President gave further emphasis to the seriousness of the efifort which should be made to reduce the appalling toll of life and property that is annually taken by fire. Theatremen will offer to local OCD and other agencies active in the Fire Prevention Week observances special cooperation this year, in order that the public and those in charge of industrial plants may be induced to take every precaution against fire. In addition, theatre owners and managers will exercise extra care to eliminate sources of danger from their own theatres, as well as to increase the efficiency of their personnel in meeting emergencies should fire strike. The e.xtra precautions will take the form of more thorough and frequent inspection, particularly of the "out of the way places," of the theatre (those unused dressing rooms, store rooms, cellars and roof spaces where the collection of debris or the deteriorating electrical wiring, switches and other contacts are a constant menace). The special efforts in training personnel will take the form of frequent fire drills and a soundly-planned organization under which the staff can rise to the emergency. It happened at 2 a.m. Around two o'clock one morning a National Theatre Supply Company Branch got a worried call from a distant theatre. A projector gear had stripped; another one was needed immediately. National had the gear; the problem was to get it to the theatre. The only train out at that hour carried no express. But the National man was not stumped. The gear, wrapped with layers of stout corrugated, was handed to the baggageman on the train and a telegram was sent to the customer. Then, as the train sped through the exhibitor's town at sixty miles per hour, the package was thrown off, the precious gear was picked up unharmed and the show went on again that night. * * * Such cooperation between National and its customers has made countless exhibitors say: "Booth "insurance'? Why, National has been providing that for more than 15 years!" The theatre which boasts a well-organized and efficient plan, well designed for the safety of its patrons, really has something to boast about. There is no greater public service than that rendered by the public gathering place which has been prepared and is maintained in a manner to give every safeguard to those who assemble therein. The utmost care to eliminate all fire hazards as well as dangers from injuries by falling fixtures inside as well as outside the building, must be supplemented by a staff trained to meet emergencies," particularly of fire. When that is done, the theatremen can obtain for himself a most convincing demonstration of how important the matter is to box-office receipts, by applying some showmanship designed to acquaint the public with the provisions he has made for the safety of the public. The local fire department officials will be more than glad to accept the theatre's invitation to test the fire hose, for example. Making such test at a time when it may attract the notice of people in the neighborhood will prove mutually advantageous to the fire department as well as the theatre. Such action bespeaks the alertness of the fire department as well as the theatre to preparedness for emergencies. Some of the most successful showmen in the business have made it a regular plan to have Proves Value of Drills The value of well drilled theatre staffs in meeting emergencies was demonstrated in a recent occurrence which reflected credit upon picture theatres generally. The case referred to was a fire at the Temple Theatre, San Bernadino, Calif. Fire broke out at a late night show, and the auditorium suddenly filled with smoke. Assistant Manager Miles Lawrence, who was In charge during the absence of the manager, and the staff immediately opened all exit doors, and walking calmly to the stage requested the audience to proceed at a walk to the nearest exit. The closing usher immediately went to the fan room where a motor was burning, and opened vents to allow the smoke to pour to the outside. The projectionist started a record on the non-sync, closed his doors and joined the staff on the auditorium floor to aid in emptying the house. The theatre was cleared of patrons in record time. Such efficient work in meeting an emergency could be accomplished only by a staff that was trained and cooperative. City Manager W. C. Ricord for Fox West Coast, operator of the Temple, has been a stickler for regular staff drills weekly for both air raid and fire emergencies at all theatres under his supervision. such demonstrations at the theatre in cooperation with the fire department, and they have made it a practice to acquaint the public with the fact that the fire fighting equipment is periodically tested by the citizens' own fire department. Pressure tests of the theatre's fire hose by the firemen make a good show, and one a theatreman can stage with benefits in prestige to his institution ; but they are also very important. Equally important from the utilitarian standpoint, is the proper drying out of the hose after it has been tested under water pressure. 8-Point Fire Drill Organization Plan The general plan of organization to meet the emergency of fire, as it materializes in the routine of the fire drills, has become more or less standard for theatres. Details may differ between one theater and another, but fundamentally the organization of the staff to take certain stations and perform certain duties in the event of fire is based upon tested methods for fighting a fire and evacuating patrons speedily and without panic. In general it is considered that a plan which covers eight important assignments has the essentials for efficient fire-fighting and panicprevention. The eight assignments to be performed, in case of fire, are : ( 1 ) A Foreman or person to have charge of the organization and drills; (2) at least two Watchmen, who see that any factors which may cause a fire to spread are dealt with; (3) and (4) male and female searchers, whose duty it is to search all toilets, dressing rooms and emergency rooms used and frequented by their respective sexes, and who are to take care of all persons who faint or are disabled; (5) Street Alarm Box Runner, who shall be familiar with the nearest city fire alarm box and know how it is operated; (6) the Fire brigade, who shall have full charge of the operation of all auxiliary firefighting apparatus and shall endeavor to extinguish, or at least hold in check until the arrival of the fire department, any fire that may occur; (7) Exit Guards, who shall station themselves at all exit doors leading to fire escapes, stairways and other means of escape immediately upon the sounding of the alarm. There shall be two guards for each exit, if practicable ; one to stand holding back the door and the other directly inside on the floor. The latter are to keep the exit doors open and direct the movements of persons using these exits and prevent congestion; (8) Squad Monitors, who, as soon as the alarm is sounded, shall see that the employes (or section of the audience) under their charge quickly form into line, two abreast, and numbering not more than thirty to each squad.