This episode of the early 1950s TV show “Non-Fiction” depicts basic training of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Drills, methods, and equipment for fighting fires are discussed in an interview format (TRT 27:02). The show was shot at Los Angeles Fire Department Station 27, which is now home of the LAFD Historical Society museum. The host of the show is Bob Moon, who also hosted a short-lived program called “Altar Bound” for ABC in 1951.

Opening titles over a siren (0:11). A fireman aims a “life gun” up at a building with a fire escape (0:36). Our host Bob Moon introduces himself, he’s holding a microphone (0:49). Captain Howard, who is in charge of cadet training for the LAFD, is introduced and shakes Moon’s hand. Captain Howard answers questions in profile (1:00). An array of fire hose fittings and nozzles. Zoom out to four firemen (1:58). Closeup of nozzles. Pan to newer “solid stream” with lever arms and “fog” nozzles with rubber tip guards (2:32). The Captain demonstrates attachment of the hose couplings and nozzles, throws the hose over his shoulder (3:31). A Mack Model L fire engine approaches a fire hydrant. A fireman hops off the back of the truck with a hose and connects it to the hydrant (4:03). Other firemen unroll more hose (4:55). A nozzle is attached as before (5:16). Climbing a ladder up the side of the drill tower building (5:33). The simulated rescue of a man in a smoke-filled basement. Two firemen in masks climb down a ladder into clouds of smoke (6:04). The victim is laid on a blanket and hooked up to a resuscitator oxygen mask/tank (6:42). A team holds a safety “life net” with a target dot in the center (7:35). The net is moved into position then re-opened. Men hold the net at chin height (8:24). A man stands in the window of the tower, then jumps into the net, landing safely on his back, then walking away. A bird’s-eye-view of the jump (9:03). A fireman climbs a ladder improperly, reaching with his hands, then properly, pushing from the feet (9:34). Explanation of the life line (10:24). A man secures a life belt loop to a life line rope. Sliding down a life line from the top of a building. Reverse view from a safety net on the ground (10:43). Fire extinguishers: A metropolitan “hook tank” and a carbon dioxide or “dry ice” extinguisher for oil fires. On the ground, a “knapsack” or “ranger” type extinguisher for brush fires (11:24). Demonstration of the tank, worn as a backpack. Extinguishers spray water, white clouds (12:05). Six men carry a “banger ladder” towards the camera, then unfold, extend and raise it to 50 feet in height (13:00). Four men use “pompier” or scaling ladders, which hang from windows using hooks (14:16). A fire alarm bell rings. Pull back to reveal our host inside a fire station with a different Captain (15:17). Closeup of a paper ticker tape recorder used to capture emergency calls for dispatch. Tilt down to a card catalogue. A card: “3442 Hollywood Blvd. & Vine St.” (15:50). A 53 ft. hook and ladder array setup on a fire engine (16:50). A tillerman climbs into the tillerman’s seat and explains steering the rear end of the truck (17:44). Raising the bucket seat and the ladder (18:26). Pulling hydraulic levers (18:55). Fixtures on a pump truck explained by an engineer (19:37). Closeup of the pump fixtures, controls, dials, and instruments (20:16). Folded hose on the back of the truck (20:56). A truck driver is introduced (21:33). A large water nozzle aims at the camera (22:13). A salvage truck with rubber blankets is introduced in another interview (22:28). Our host enters a LAFD dormitory (24:04). A stopwatch is started (24:40). Men leap out of men and put on pants and suspenders. (24:42). Sliding down a fire pole (25:05). Running to the trucks and putting on jackets and helmets (25:14). Four trucks exit LAFD Station 27 at Wilcox and DeLongpre, and drive onto the streets of Hollywood (25:29). Wrapping up (25:55). End titles (26:10).

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