New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-20
STATE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
REPORT FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER.

At the session Of the Board of Aldermen on Monday
of this week. Chief Engineer CARSON sent in by re
quest an important and interesting report of which
the following the most important portions:
TO the Hon. tie B0Gyd Of Altrmca.
GENTLLMEs In replying to the resolution adopted BY
your honorable body the 5h instant directing the Chief
Engineer report what fire companies are provided with
apI aatus and houses and what companies not sup
Piled whether in his opinion there not more com.
panies organized in the City than necessary, and
what companies would DE dispensed with also the calbe
of the engines located the Seventh and Eighth Dis.
trcts and whether powerful necessary,
ard il whether union Of two companies would
add TO tie efficiency of the Department in that section of
the City Also any other information which may suggest
itsef to him calculated 10 render the Fire Department
more fcion. il the above named Districts beg leave to
STATE that far relates to the condition of houses it is
OF my power 10 give any official information respect
ing them formerly the snail repairs to the houses
done under the superintendent of the Chief Engineer
who could then report their condition, &c is now how
ever, in oher hands
Engine Companies Nos. J. ? 456.Ls,9 II, L.
H. a. IS, l6 L. ls 10, 90 ~ % 90 81 2j 20, 30 80 30
81 81. 80, - 80 30 IL, ~ 49, a. 46, AZ and 40 Hose
Companies Nos l. g. = SO, = TO- H. l., l3 H. -
s. &C. 81 80, 80 40 H. f., 49, H. 49, 49, A. 49, 49, 30, 81
81, 50 and 81 Hook and Ladder Companies Nos. l. . D.
g. 5 6, and H. as near as am able to judge have
houses which in good condition,
building. The houses Of Engine Companies Nos 10 and
As, Hose Company No. 80, and Hook and Ladder Com
pany No 10, are in dlepidated condition.
Tie apparatus of all the above companies Is in good
der contracted fr except Engines y 9s
90 and &c. No 90 located in the lower districts, should be
supplied with new one as soon as possible.
Engine Companies Nos 3, q, &c. 81 and TO- Hose Com
panies Nos 80 IS and S. and Hook and Ladder COmpa
MES Nos 10 and 49, have locations except that Engines
Nos &c and 81 and Hose Companies Nos % and 80 are
doing duty from temporary houses Engine No 80 has
house except temporary but by resolution of the
late Common Council directed 70 be built m
Thirty first st., Seyenthav and the Engine now used
by No, appropriated to their
Hose Company No. 5, and Hook and Ladder Company
No g. occupy the lower part OF the building known as
Firemens Hail. in Mercerst. As the hall to be re built
they will Of be out Of service soon as the present
building is demolished this will doubtless be very soon
understood however, that provision Is made for their
accommodation in the Hall, but some time must neces
say eapse before building of the magnitude OF the one
contemplated be completed i desirable that TEN
porary location be provided particularly Tor the HOOK
ard Ladder Company Locations should also be provided
for Hook aud Ladder Companies Nos IL and 10 as soon
as possible they are much needed.
That more companies have been organized than axe ne
cessafy certainly is the IL your honorable body
should tIk proper 10 dispense with any those not pro
vded with locations could be well spared eny Others
except the hook and ladder companies mentioned and
also perhaps Engines Nos o. 81 and 80. There
too many book and ladder companies even when all are
in active service and the three engine companies alluded
to are placed far up town. where from the growth oil me
City in thai direction, they and required
every day.
The hydrant companies are of very little service and
might be dispensed with without detrmen to the Depart
rent at any rate Nos l. and with ten each, are
certainly sufficient for al practicable purposes al pfcs
en there four companies organized and nave re
eeived resolution directing me to organize No of se
Sixth District which If done will make three for tnat as
trct, viz. Nos ., and 5. With view, tneleiore 20
swet the action Of your honorable body on he su1ec
have declined to receive the return ioi me
of said company until opportunity Tor tna1 ACTON can
be bad
resolution was also adopted by your predecessor di