The program of fire prevention and fire protection that we have
established in Maryland has been acclaimed widely, not only in this
country but in foreign countries as well. The emphasis we place in
this State on the value of teaching fire prevention and fire protection
has gained the attention of people in many countries. Maryland
indeed proudly acclaims itself as tops in fire service training. Our
State for years has been a front runner in stressing the value of ade-
quate instruction in fire fighting.

We were not the first to initiate a program of instruction, but we
did get into that field early—around 1930. The date we usually use
for the beginning of our instruction service, though, is 1937-38, when
the firemen's training program at the University of Maryland was
placed in the College of Engineering under a full-time director. Since
that time, many thousands of persons have participated in the training
program. More than 3, 000 firemen take part in the firemanship pro-
gram every year, and, of all our Maryland fire departments, volunteer
and paid, 82 per cent will have men in training in any given year.

To me, these facts are most impressive. It is most gratifying to me,
as Governor of the State, to know that Maryland is concerned, and
very deeply concerned, about the loss of lives and property in fires.
The people of Maryland, I know, are most appreciative of the fire
record fire companies have made during the past thirty years, in
protecting their communities against the perils of fire.

Once again, let me say that it is a pleasure and a privilege to be
with you here at this seventy-first annual convention of the Maryland
State Firemen's Association. I am most grateful to your President for
inviting me to come here and most appreciative of the courtesies and
cordiality I have received here today. I commend all of you for the
excellent work you have done in the past in fire prevention and fire
protection and encourage you to continue in your endeavors to protect
the lives and the properties of the people against the ravages of fires.

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