STANDING ORDERS FOR THE FORTRESS OF HALIFAX, N.S.
1908
FORTRESS STANDING ORDERS.

SECTION V. - MILITARY TELEPHONE SERVICE, CITADEL AND CAMPERDOWN SIGNAL STATIONS, FIRES.

MILITARY TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

87.     Telephonic communication is established between the undermentioned places and a central exchange at the Citadel, which is kept open day and night:

Office No.Office.
1.Headquarter Office Exchange.
2.
3.York.
3A.Sandwich.
4.King's Wharf.
5.Main Guard (King's Wharf).
6.Military Prison.
7.Orderly Room, C.P.A.S.C.
7A.Supply Depot and Transport Office.
8.Wellington Orderly Room.
8A. Wellington Guard Room.
9.Wellington Magazine.
10.
11.Lumber Yard Exchange.
llA.C.R.C.E.
llB.O. ic R.C.E. Stores.
llC.D.O. iii, R.C.E.
12.D.O.D.L.
13.Cambridge.
13A.Ogilvie.
14.Officers' Mess, R.C.G.A. and R.C.E.
15.D.O. 1, R.C.E.
16.Pay Office and P.M.O.
17.Barrack Office.
18.Guard Room, South Bks. and Regtl. Q.M.S.
18A.O.C. 1st Fortress Company's Office.
19.Director of Signals' Quarters.
20.Instructor in Gunnery.
21.Station Hospital.
22.Citadel Orderly Room.
23.D.O. ii, R.C.E.
23A.Qr. Mr's Stores, Wellington Bks.
24.H.M. Gun Wharf Exchange.
25.
26.C.R.C.A.
27.
28.Director of Signal's Office.
29.
30.Side Instrument.
31.G.M.P.
32.
33.
34.McNab's.
34A.Infantry Camp.
35.
36.
37.
38.Camperdown.
39.
40.Quartermaster, R.C.G.A.
41.
42.
43.Ives.
44.

88.     The office hours for paid operators will be from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on week days, on Saturdays until the office is closed, and on Sundays as may be required. In case of urgency, however, an operator is liable to be called upon at any time.

89.     There is telephonic communication between the signal station at the Citadel and the N.S. Telephone Cos. Exchange.

90.     No responsibility can be accepted for the correct delivery of messages not delivered in writing.

91.     Should any defect be observed in the working of the telephone system, a report of the circumstances will be communicated to the Division Officer, Defence Lights.

92.     The duration of the training of telephonists will be decided by the Division Officer, Defence Lights. Certificates of proficiency will be issued by the Division Officer, Defence Lights, to properly trained and efficient men.

THE CITADEL AND CAMPERDOWN SIGNAL STATION.

93.     The signal stations at the Citadel and Camperdown are charged with the duty of forwarding early intelligence respecting all vessels approaching or entering the port of Halifax by day or night.

94.     The Union Jack will be hoisted from the main signal mast at the Citadel from 8 a.m. to retreat daily.

95.     The personnel of the signal stations is furnished from the infantry battalion in garrison with men of good character, who are able to read and write well.

96.     The duration of a signallers employment will be decided by the Division Officer, Defence Lights.

97.     Signallers temporarily withdrawn for duty with their regiment should be relieved by trained men; where this cannot be done, not more than 2 signallers will be withdrawn from any one signal station within the same month, and seven days' notice of such withdrawal will be given the Divisional Officer, Defence Lights.

98.     The Divisional Officer, Defence Lights will always keep under training at the Citadel a reserve of 4 signallers in addition to the authorized staff.

99.     The arrival of all men-of-war will be reported in writing to the G.O.C. and officers of the staff In the case of men-of-war, the distinguishing flag carried should be reported.

100.     When Halifax post office reports mails ready for delivery, the postal orderlies in garrison will be notified by telephone from the Citadel signal station.

FIRES.

I. - Fire Duties.

101.     The following will be detailed for fire duty, monthly:

    The above details will be in readiness to attend to all fires occuring on Government property.

102.     A N.C.O. and private, under the orders of the quartermaster, will be detailed in each corps provided with fire appliances, to take charge of the fire hydrants, etc., and to point out the sources of water supply to the fire parties when working the hose. The N.C.O. detailed wiII be per­sonally responsible that all hose pipes are properly drained after use and protected from frosts.

103.     Duplicate keys of fire-engine houses will be hung up in guard rooms, under charge of regimental police by day, and guards by night. The hydrants and hose will be used only for drill purposes, for extinguishing fires, and for flushing drains only.

2. - Procedure on occurrence of fire.

104.     When a fire breaks out on Government property, notification will be sent by telephone to the Citadel signal station, and an alarm also rung in at the nearest city fire alarm (Appendix VII.)

105.     The Citadel signal station shall give the alarm to the central engine house (Brunswick Street, Phone. 57) and to the following:

    The addresses of the above officers, communicated weekly by the D.A.A.G., will be hung up at the Citadel signal station, together with a list of the city fire stations and a copy of these orders.

106.     Guards will turn out in the event of a fire occuring in barracks or Government buildings where a guard is mounted.

107.     On the fire alarm sounding in barracks, the troops will turn out and form up on their central parade grounds. The parties detailed in parallel, will proceed at once to the fire.

108.     The garrison-sergeant-major will proceed to the fire and assume command of the garrison military police, drawing a cordon round the scene of the fire, keeping clear a space for the fire parties to work in.

109.     The F.O. of the week will take command of the fire parties.

110.     Should a fire occur in proximity to Government buildings, or in the event of a large civil fire, the chief of the civil fire brigade is authorized to telephone to the Citadel for assistance, whereupon the procedure will be as detailed above. Fire parties will take their hose-reels with them to the scene of the fire.

111.     Copies of these instructions will be hung up in all barracks and guard rooms.

QUICK LINKS