Recalling the student "sparks" of 20 years ago, Deputy Church of the Cambridge Fire department seemed puzzled yesterday why there are so few student firemen now.

"One group of boys called the 'Gold Coasters'," stated the deputy, "used to have a private car fully equipped for fires, with which they would respond to every alarm in Cambridge and even in Boston sometimes even before the fire department. "Since the abolition of call firemen and whistle alarms", added Deputy Church, "student 'sparks' are very scarce now."

Claiming to be the most compact community within a community, the city fire headquarters on Cambridge Street, can accommodate 50 men for a period of several days. Besides a complete kitchen and dining room in the six year old building, there is also a recreational center and even a lecture hall.

Many Odd Rescues

Outside of false alarms, the most common call is from people locked out of their home. Although most animal accidents such as cats stranded in trees are turned over to the Animal Rescue League, recently the department rescued a small dog who had swallowed his collar. another odd case happened when tear gas was used to destroy a bees nest in an old house.