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AFS volunteers undergoing hose drill, WW2
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AFS volunteers undergoing hose drill, WW2
The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) was created in 1938 to supplement the regular London Fire Brigade. Some 21, 000 volunteer firefighters would be recruited, all of whom had to undergo 60 hours of basic training. Here AFS firemen are undergoing hose drill, running out the hose and connecting it with a special spanner which he carried on his belt along with his axe. Firefighters were expected to complete this task both in daylight and in the dark
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Media ID 7641611
© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library
Auxiliary Basic Coil Coiled Connecting Drill Hose Hoses Practice Practising Recruit Recruited Recruits Running Spanner Special Supplement Volunteer Volunteers Firefighter Firefighters Fireman Firemen
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a group of Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) volunteers in the midst of their intensive training regimen during World War II. The AFS was established in 1938 as a supplement to the London Fire Brigade, with an impressive 21,000 volunteers recruited to aid in firefighting efforts. In this image, the firemen are seen practicing their hose drill, a crucial skill that required them to efficiently run out the hose and connect it using a special spanner carried on their belts, alongside their axe. The drill was not only practiced during daylight hours but also in the dark, reflecting the unpredictable nature of fires and the importance of readiness. The volunteers of the AFS played a vital role during the wartime period, with their dedication and hard work supplementing the efforts of the regular fire brigade. This photograph, taken in the late 1930s or early 1940s, is a testament to their unwavering commitment and the importance of preparation in the face of adversity.
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