South Yorkshire Times June 1, 1946

N. F. S. Demonstration.
Conisbrough Councillors at Doncaster Headquarters

Asmart turn out by the Conisbrough section of the N.F.C. evoked generous praise from their professional colleagues of the Doncaster N. F. S. at the Doncaster fire station on Sunday, when the men of both brigades demonstrated the use of the various engines and other equipment at the station.

Smart Turn Out

Members of Conisbrough Urban Council and Conisbrough section of the N. F. S. Were entertained to tea at the Doncaster fire station by regional officer H. Jones and his officers. The various departments of the fire station were inspected, then followed demonstrations in the station yard. Fire bells were rung and the firemen slid down the steel pole, manned an engines and dashed out, as the doors opened automatically, and round the building to the car, where they went through all the operations of firefighting. In one of the turnouts Doncaster men were playing on the “fire” within one minute of receiving the alarm. The Conisbrough section turned out with a 900 gallon motor pump and were directing water on the flames within one minute 20 seconds of receiving a call, – a fine performance, as regional officer Jones explained, considering the unfamiliar conditions.

The Conisbrough visitors were particularly interested in the control room, where they learnt how the new headquarters maintains contact with every village in the area of 500 mi.² for which they are responsible.

The first engine inspected was a 30 hp vehicle which carried no water but prompts 900 gallons a minute through four deliveries. Conisbrough has an engine identical with this.

Doncaster’s only remaining prewar engine was next seen. Number three engine is very speedy and is used on long distance calls. It carries 100 gallons of water for immediate use with a first-aid hose.

The powerful engine carrying a 100 ft turntable ladder for rescue work from high buildings was demonstrated, a fireman bringing in a 10 stone dummy from the top of the tall hose tower.

An engine specially designed for attending aeroplane crashes in the Doncaster district and made in an N. F. S. Workshops was shown, using the foam apparatus.

A variety of other vehicles, each with a special purpose, was inspected. The salvage tender was seen to be carrying complete equipment for protecting stock and buildings where the roof has been destroyed – scores of sheets, roofing felt and other makeshift material.

Coun. David Sheldon J. E., Chairman of the Conisbrough Urban Council, said they had seen something which had been an education, which should put their minds at ease. He was deeply interested in the marvellous efficiency of the men and machines they had seen in action. He could assure Mr Jones that he and his fellow councillors would go back to Conisbrough and inform the people that they could go to bed at night and sleep comfortably in the knowledge that they were well protected against fire.

He wanted to say how much he appreciated the work of the Conisbrough section of the N. F.S. Those men who had demonstrated what they could do were men who worked in the pit and the bench and gave their services to the N. F. S in their spare time. They might be “queer people” at Conisbrough. But they had shown what queer people could do.