100 years ago today: Firemen describe new shifts
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
March 2, 2021 6:37pm CST
This was borrowed from the New Britain herald. [volume] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, March 02, 1921, Image 2 Found on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
I know the image is probably small. The article was long so I had to zoom out to "clip" the article.
A few firemen addressed the public concerning a new shift plan for the firehouses of New Britain, Connecticut. The new proposal would eliminate meal breaks, requiring the men to come in well nourished for their 12 hours of duty. How anyone could expect good service from hungry and thirsty firemen, I don't know. 
Their old system allowed them two meal breaks.
It seems the appeal to the public worked in the firemen's favor.
One firemen was quoted as saying "Remember, we do not ask for anything that other men do not have. We simply want to live as other men do with time for work, time for play and time with our families."
That's a reasonable request, don't you think?
Their old system allowed them two meal breaks.
It seems the appeal to the public worked in the firemen's favor.
One firemen was quoted as saying "Remember, we do not ask for anything that other men do not have. We simply want to live as other men do with time for work, time for play and time with our families."
That's a reasonable request, don't you think?5 people like this
4 responses
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Mar 21
They might have become too sleepy as well, and no one would be quick on their feet when their body is still fighting to digest.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502812)
• Italy
3 Mar 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum This is also my opinion, really a bad idea.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Mar 21
@LadyDuck I believe it was in the 1930's here when laws started to take shape around fair working hours.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (82978)
• Onaway, Michigan
3 Mar 21
Wow that sucks they want to eliminate meal breaks why get rid of something these guys need and are use to.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Mar 21
Right? There were other ways they could have dealt with response time (which is why the public wanted to get rid of their meals)
@Tina30219 (82978)
• Onaway, Michigan
4 Mar 21
@ScribbledAdNauseum That’s for sure.those men need that food to keep their energy up
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Mar 21
@Tina30219 Absolutely. I can only imagine how heavy things were back then. I know firefighters have to carry a lot of heavy stuff today.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98106)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Mar 21
That is a perfectly reasonable and understandable request
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Mar 21
Absolutely. This seemed to be a case of the public not knowing the full story. Glad a few firefighters set them straight.
@JESSY3236 (22268)
• United States
9 Mar 21
That's great the public agreed with them.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
9 Mar 21
Wasn't it? I couldn't imagine having to do that job with no food in my stomach.
1 person likes this
