大象传媒

On Holton Aerodrome,the United States Army Air Force had an efficient fire brigade,but for much of the time they were just waiting about for something to happen.Then,from their position on the high ground,they saw smoke rising from Corner Farm,Mells,across the shallow valley of the River Blythe.
"Gee - come on boys - we're needed."
Halesworth Town also had a fire brigade,manned by carpenters,plumbers and shop assistants,who,when summoned,downed tools and pedalled like mad to the fire station.
As Halesworth Fire Brigade drove proudley into Corners Farm,they found it still smoking,but only just.The Americans had everything under control.
The part time fire fighters were furious - they had no right to put out fires that belonged to the Halesworth firemen. (I rather think that this was to do with the way that a call out payment was made to each fire,followed by so-much-an-hour for the time it took to put it out.)
Sometimes these days,we hear of an earthquake disaster in a far-off land,and the difficulties the Americans experience in bringing in relief.I am never surprised at this - for I have seen the system.

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