FIRE SAFETY

The loss of life and the destruction of property caused by
preventable fires continued to be a major area of concern to
Governor Tawes during his second term. Accomplishments
in fire prevention were reflected in significant reductions in
fire insurance rates throughout the State. For this, the Gover-
nor gave credit to the local volunteer and paid fire depart-
ments. He saw his task as that of prodding and stimulating
even better efforts at fire safety. At the same time, he urged
increased emphasis on training programs for firemen and edu-
cational activities to make citizens more aware of fire preven-
tion practices.

ADDRESS, DEL-MAR-VA FIREMEN'S CONVENTION
CRISFIELD
May 7, 1963

It is always a pleasure, of course, to come back home, and I am
particularly pleased to have this opportunity to join in good-fellowship
with firemen from the Eastern Shore counties of Maryland, from Dela-
ware and from the two Eastern Shore counties of Virginia. As the
Governor of Maryland and as a native of Crisfield, I extend greetings
and a warm hand of hospitality especially to those of you who have
come to this convention from our two neighboring states. We are
always glad to have you with us. We hope you have profited by the
discussions. We hope you have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy
all of the festivities.

As most of you know, I have had a long association with fire com-
panies. I have been a member of this Crisfield company for the greater
part of my life. I have had the honor of serving as President of the
Maryland State Firemen's Association. I consider these associations
as among the most enjoyable and most fruitful experiences of my life.
I know of no organization in which there exists a stronger bond of
friendship and comradeship among the membership than the volunteer
fire companies. But as strong as these ties are, we are more than just
lodge brothers. We do not lose sight of the fact that our main purpose
is to protect the lives and the property of the people of our respective
communities.

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