The Liverpool Firebobbies: v. 2 Book

After the turn of the century, improved technology meant that fire brigades had faster machines, better equipment, and more reliable communication systems. But it also meant that new skills had to be mastered to deal with the consequences, when some of the benefi ts of scientifi c and engineering developments malfunctioned, or were misused. On four occasions before the First World War, the Firebobbies were summoned to train crashes that had resulted in high death tolls. Traffi c accidents too, began to be more numerous and unpleasant. Changes in the maritime sector, brought new risks that required updated procedures, and even in the home, there were dangers from sources that were still something of a novelty. August 1914 saw many of the men who fought the fi res in the City, leave their homes to face a different, and more lethal exposure to fi re. During their absence they were given all the support the Watch Committee could muster. One of the Watch Committee's interests was safeguarding the moral welfare of wives whose husbands had enlisted. This was a duty that was taken very seriously, and which at times, bordered on the prurient. On one occasion, two plainclothes policemen followed the wife of a serving soldier and submitted a lengthy report of the lady's assignation. It was only a short time after the men were home from the trenches that the saddest, and most destructive event, in the history of the Brigade took place - the police went on strike! The full might of the State was marshalled to defeat them; warships were sent to the Mersey, tanks were drawn up on St. George's Plateau, and armed soldiers patrolled the streets. An ultimatum, unseen by most of the men, gave the strikers a limited opportunity to return to duty, and when they didn't, every one of them was dismissed from the service. From the many thousands of men back from the war zones, the Watch Committee was able to recruit, train, and equip a force to replace those who had sought to improve their lot by strike action. Fortunately, these men were full time veterans by the time that Hitler launched his venom on the City. The Firebobbies, the Civil Defence, and the men and women of Liverpool never faltered in their resolution. They showed indomitable spirit, courage, and fortitude. It was their fi nest hour. A tribute, from a soldier who was present during the bombing, says it all: The terrible sights I saw in human suffering during those nights are indescribable and best forgotten. I found however during those nights that the people of Liverpool are truly heroic and nothing will ever change my opinion.