Incendiary Bombing and Fire Defense School

Presented by the Houston Fire Department, this 1940s government film captures members of the department—Commissioner Frank E. Mann, District Chief D.W. Heath, Captain H.L. Mathews, Captain F.E. Jaynes, Lieutenant J.P. Clooney, and Theo Felds—leading classes at a training conference in New York City. Along with standard fire rescue techniques, lessons appear to include a lecture on incendiary bombs, complete with demonstrations (explosions in the classroom!) and a simulated exercise on coping with exposure to various war gasses. Classes are attended by men in uniform as well as the Women's City Club.