safety should have nothing but strong support from all persons and
all groups. A copy of one of our past programs for your information
can be arranged while you are here by contacting Floyd B. Heimer,
who is secretary of the Maryland State Firemen's Association. The
costs of putting on the conference should be minimal, but I have
always felt that of all the monies spent in education, that spent in the
training and education for the fire service probably gives as great a
direct return to the citizen-taxpayers as any.

This brings up another point of grave importance to you, as well
as to every fireman in America. This is the tremendous changes that
are occurring in the world daily, and the impact these are having on
the education needs for fire officers. One of the values of this Memphis
Conference is that it brings men to this rostrum who can share with
you their specialized knowledge in technical areas that have become
more complex and complicated because of progressive developments.
A glance at the items listed on your program illustrates the scope of
the Conference. You are urged to get as much educational help as
possible here, and then to share your new knowledge with others when
you return home.

On the occasion of my second visit to FDIC, I have become convinced
there is much yet to be learned by service leaders. Although there will
always be the necessity for basic training and instruction for firemen,
there is an urgent need for top level education for command fire officers.
This is a must. The day has come when every fire officer must be
educated in tactical strategy, technical fire protection and administra-
tion. This learning opportunity for fire officers must be comprehensive
and of a caliber not now generally available. My State is taking steps
to develop such a program. Early this month a series of four staff and
command schools for fire officers started under the Fire Service Exten-
sion Department of the University of Maryland. This follows the one
held last year.

It is of interest to note that last year's staff and command school
ended just as the severe fire weather of April started. There were
more fires in Maryland in rainfree April last year than any month in
our history. In one of these that occurred just as the staff and com-
mand course was completed, it was necessary for over 100 pumpers
from five counties to converge on one incident. This came as a sort
of surprise examination to the fire officers who were enrolled. I am
proud to say that the logistical, tactical and administrative problems
of such a major situation were very capably met. This might not
have been the case had the fire occurred two months earlier.