When an alarm was given, a number of fast strokes was sounded plus the number of the ward. This was how the firemen knew where the fire was. Each fireman was paid one dollar where water was used. The present fire department consists of 23 volunteers and a paid chief. They are notified of a fire by telephone system, a pager system or on their personal radios.
Firefighters receive ten dollars per fire, regardless of the amount of time spent at the fire.