Royal Arcerion Fire Service: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 66: Line 66:
The Fire Service received new direction and by extension, new life in 1967. A significant drought in Northlea Governorate resulted in the outbreak of an initially small wildfire 150km from Presdale. However, fast-moving winds and a significant amount of dead foliage and dry underbrush meant that this quickly turned into what would be categorized later as the first Category 5-fire. Multiple towns were caught in the firestorm, and dozens of Arcer citizens were burned to death. The Fire Service deployed almost all of its available manpower, most arriving by Arcer National Railway Service coaches, and over the course of three weeks, fought the 1967 Wildfire to a standstill 14km from Presdale, saving the booming Arcer Heartland town from burning down.  
The Fire Service received new direction and by extension, new life in 1967. A significant drought in Northlea Governorate resulted in the outbreak of an initially small wildfire 150km from Presdale. However, fast-moving winds and a significant amount of dead foliage and dry underbrush meant that this quickly turned into what would be categorized later as the first Category 5-fire. Multiple towns were caught in the firestorm, and dozens of Arcer citizens were burned to death. The Fire Service deployed almost all of its available manpower, most arriving by Arcer National Railway Service coaches, and over the course of three weeks, fought the 1967 Wildfire to a standstill 14km from Presdale, saving the booming Arcer Heartland town from burning down.  


This prompted quick action from the Confederate Parliament, who lauded the on-scene commander, then-Captain John Francis Frederickson. Frederickson, born in a middle-class suburb outside of Chester-on-Moore to a father who was a career firefighter, and his grandfather a member of a small-boat rescue team had joined the Fire Service as an ordinary fireman shortly after the Second Great War, upon his return in the early 1950s. Over twenty-five years of firefighting, he had served most of his time in the Easthampton Fire Department, only transferring to Dalfearn Fire Department a few months before the 1967 Wildfires. Frederickson's overall command and control of the wildfires, using control lines, burnouts, and knock down dirt tracks to effectively combat the fire. These techniques would become wildfire-combatting standard operating procedures over the next fifty years.
This prompted quick action from the Confederate Parliament, who lauded the on-scene commander, then-Captain John Francis Frederickson. Frederickson, born in a middle-class suburb outside of Chester-on-Moore to a father who was a career firefighter, and his grandfather a member of a small-boat rescue team had joined the Fire Service as an ordinary fireman shortly after the Second Great War, upon his return in the early 1950s. Over twenty-five years of firefighting, he had served most of his time in the Easthampton Fire Department, only transferring to Dalfearn Fire Department a few months before the 1967 Wildfires. Frederickson's overall command and control of the wildfires, using control lines, burnouts, and knock down dirt tracks to effectively combat the fire. These techniques would become wildfire-combatting standard operating procedures over the next fifty years.  


Frederickson was promoted to Fire Commissioner, where he would also oversee a large amount of change to the Fire Service. He outlined a three-point approach to the   
Frederickson was promoted to Fire Commissioner, where he would also oversee a large amount of change to the Fire Service. He outlined a four-point approach to the improvement of the Fire Service in a 1968 Memo:
 
* Increased funding for support services such as communications, training, and infrastructure;
* Procurement of new vehicles, equipment, and systems for the Fire Service;
* Restructuring of the Fire Service;
* Public Affairs blitz to increase recruitment and ease manning shortfalls.  
 
The increased funding was approved by a worried Parliament who say the 1967 Wildfire as the first of many, and narrowly avoided the loss of a major Heartland city. They correctly assumed, as several other Category 5 fires would occur not only in 1967, but in the years following there was a rising trend. The funding Frederickson secured was then used to improve 'soft' support systems such as pay, compensation, and training. The Royal Arcerion Fire Institute was turned into a museum at its original location, and a new training centre was set up in Dalfearn,


Frederickson was the revolutionary, dragged the RAFS out of irrelevancy (died 1999ish)
Frederickson was the revolutionary, dragged the RAFS out of irrelevancy (died 1999ish)