A demonstration of fire-fighting and rescue work at the Cross was enjoyed by onlookers reported the Brechin Advertiser of August 18, 1942.
"The better the day the better the show, presumably. Certainly the Fire-Fighting display at the Cross which was to have taken place on Saturday evening did not seem to lose anything in effectiveness and popular appeal by having to be put off until Su
nday.
"The display proved quite the best demonstration of Civil Defence work seen up to now in Brechin, and kept a very large crowd happily entertained in the High Street for 1¾ hours. Mr and Mrs General Public and the weans seemed to enjoy the excitement thoroughly, and cheerfully tholed the clouds of smoke, the numerous loud bangs and the sudden douches of chilly water which were the necessary accompaniment of the display.
"They showed how real had been their appreciation by stumping up no less than £25 16s 9d for Brechin Infirmary, and the collection would no doubt have been larger had it been announced beforehand.
"The programme was a varied one. It was centred on the erection of wood and piping temporarily put up at the Cross. The five local teams who entered for the fire-fighting and rescue competition were fairly put through their paces.
"Each team consisted of three members. One member of each team had first to ascend a stair to a smoke-filled room - (the room was merely the lofty wooden platform but there was nothing make-believe about the smoke) - and rescue the second member (not unnaturally overcome by the fumes) by conveying him the length of the floor and down the stair, and then administer a little artificial respiration. The third member of the team (usually the tallest one) did the window drop.
"The carrying out of the same routine by each party was not allowed to become wearisome. The onlookers (who must have learned a lot) increased the interest for themselves by timing each rescue by the Old Town Hall clock and comparing methods of getting the patient along the floor and supporting him in the ticklish downward journey.
"Next came the Incendiary Bomb Test. The teams again went into action one after the other as soon as their particular bomb burst into flame. The leaders (each armed with the nozzle of the stirrup pump and shield) looked like 20th century St George's advancing to attack the fire-belching dragon.
"These incendiary bombs were explosive, as they soon showed once they got alight, and the Chief Constable, commentating pointed out how dangerous it was to approach (until the explosion was over) without a shield.
"The fire-fighting gave scope to the amateur critics in the crowd, but even those who had never worked with a stirrup pump learnt much about the height at which the nozzle should be held and the way in which the jet should (and should not) be directed on the bomb.
"If the aim was not too accurate it was the spectators who got the jet, but they took even more subduing than the flames. There was a laugh for every one when the Fire Guard lads, out to break the speed record, began moving their paraphernalia and the bomb still smoking furiously!
"If so far rescue work and fire-fighting had seemed peculiarly a man's job, the girl members of Forfar Fire Cadet Crops showed that with keenness and training the gentler sex need not be behind on usefulness and efficiency. So thick was the cloud of smoke which enveloped their rescue act that the finer points of their technique were missed, but if it was as slick and determined as their fire-fighting they had nothing to learn from the men.
"The persistence of the leader as she nozzled along in the wake of her "damned elusive" bit of incendiary, and the grim looks of the water-pumper as she strove to make supply, equal to demand, were amusing to watch - and instructive too.
"Chief Constable Ogilvie, A. R. P. Controller for Angus, who gave an explanatory running commentary of the operations from a loud speaker in a police car, explained that the aim of the demonstration was to show how much could be done by the general public and how much was expected of them.
"In recent raids on this country, he warned his audience, the incendiary bomb peril had become greater than ever, and it was imperative that everyone should be able to tackle fire bombs.
"A large percentage of these bombs fell on top of, inside or behind buildings, and there was the danger of people rushing outside to deal with fire-bombs which were falling in the street and turning back to find their houses alight.
"Bombs falling in the open, unless they fell near a petrol tank or any inflammable substance could be safely left to burn themselves out while bombs on buildings were tackled.
"Bombs in the street caused a glow which might be visible to the raiders for a short time, but a building on fire produced a much brighter glare, and one which would last longer.
"At the end of the display the Chief Constable added that the demonstration had been entirely for the public's benefit, and urged them to remember what they had seen and make themselves familiar by practice with the use of the stirrup pump.
"Lord Provost Ogilvie, in proposing votes of thanks, said that in the darker part of the year which was approaching German raiders, he believed would be out to do great damage to our country, and it was necessary for everybody to be able to tackle firefighting.
"That evening the Brechin personnel had given such a good account of themselves that they could be safely trusted to deal with fire bombs if the emergency arose. They were greatly indebted to the Chief Constable and those who had arranged the demonstration, and to those who had taken part. (Applause)."
