Fire fighters

Japanese firefighters are lined up on a street. All are unidentified. From Basil Rice.

An unidentified Japanese fire fighter is holding a standard. A fire fighting company's standard, similar to a flag, is a very old tradition. The standard bearer would run and plant the standard at the point beyond which the firefighters would not let the fire spread. At the time, it was still in use. From Basil Rice.

These Japanese firefighters are demonstrating their better equipment with high pressure water from their pumper. All are unidentified. From Basil Rice.

These Osaka, Japanese firefighters are wearing their usual firefighting gear. The cape-like garments are to make it easier to breathe in heavy smoke. They have an old style hose-pumper combination. The long hoses in front of the vehicle, which has no enclosed cab, are hard suction hoses for pulling water out of ponds or reservoirs. The rolled hoses are made of linen and are not fireproof. The front side of the pumper has valves and gauges to control pumping running water when it is available. At the top rear is a bell which the firefighter in the back clangs as they travel.

Lieutenant Commander Basil Rice poses for a photograph with Japanese officials. First row, left to right: unidentified man, Lieutenant Commander Basil Rice, unidentified, Lieutenant Commander Orville J. Emory, and unidentified. The men standing are Japanese firemen and are unidentified. From Basil Rice.

Lieutenant Commander Orville J. Emery (left) and Lieutenant Commander Basil Rice (second from left) sit with unidentified Japanese firefighters as they work on reports in a rather tight space. From Basil Rice.

Lieutenant Commander Basil Rice (second from left) stands with unidentified Japanese firefighters. Lt. Com. Rice was a member of the Civilian Defense Division of the United States Strategic Bombing Survey in 1945 following V-J Day. From Basil Rice.

Lieutenant Orville J. Emory, perched on spare tire, and Lieutenant Basil Rice, in dark cap seated to the right, pose for a photograph with unidentified Japanese firefighters in a 1940's Willys Jeep. From Basil Rice.

Lieutenant Basil Rice (taller man, center), Lieutenant Orville J. Emery, and unidentified Japanese firefighters are looking down on a street scene from a rooftop. From Basil Rice.

Unidentified Japanese firefighters, probably at an auxiliary station, stand with a hand drawn cart with hard suction hoses clamped onto the sides. From Basil Rice.