New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-10
THE NEWYORK FIRE DEPARTMENT.

P,Ihaps with no other branch of our municipal af-
fsrs is the public little acquainted with the gen.
era details OF the Fire Department. Located almost
exclusively in retired strees-unnoticed by the masses
during their hours of business of recreation the
megous homes or stations Of the fire brigade attract
few visitors, ard inspire but little attention 1t only
when the alarm is gven-when the fend of fire has
seized upon some public edifce private dwelling as
hs Prev when tie loud clangor of the City Hall bell
touches with instructive terror the heart of each pas
ser by and people shaddera the engines tear through
the crowded Streets il is only then hat the fireman
invested with that dignity and Importance which right
fully belong to his profession. At such time you do
not pause TO sean tie social petition Of the individual
II matters but little whether he be resident OF the
Sixth or Fourteenth Ward-whether his coat be VI
pilot or broaccloh it is sufficient that be wears the
distinguishing badge Of his heroic callingthat he has
strong and willing arms and brave heart. These
qualifications alone are essential at such crisis.
The Fire Department of this City has at its head
Allied Carson. Chief Engneg 1t has also in each
Ward an Assistant Engineer, frecompaniee, engines,
hes, hooks ladders aud engine houses. Tue Depart
nent contains IL eneinecompanies, SO hose compa-
Des, hook and ladder companies, hydrant compa-
MES. 80 coo feet Of hose, and about 5000 men, The
members are free from jury and military duty, and
after serving five years are exempt for life The Cy
il divided into redstrics and in case Of fire in the
first district the signal is stroke from the alarm
bells with sufficient interval before repeating the
stroke For the second district two strokes; for the
third, three strokes, and so on. The alarm is con
veyed by means OF a local telegraph which connects
tie central watch-tower the City Hall with those
situated at the extreme points OF the metropolis
~ -. 80 - EFa m
New.YcrL is perhaps equal to that of any other city
on this continent or in Europe. When we remember
the wide area over which this City extends and con-
sider that all the riches il contains are nightly threat
ened in every direction By an eyer-present ezemy-
that tie secret match the spontaneous spark and the
hand o. tie druukard are busiy at work-it s evident
that nothing but force the most disciplined and i'm
plemelis the most effective be competent to cope
with so sudden and perseyerng foe 1t Is only re-
Gently that our Fire Department has been placed on
proper system OF organization The labor Of Mr. Car
son and Others has had the effect Of eeyatng the so
csl position Of the fireman while it has rendered his
efforts more successful by promoting discipline in the
ranks Of the Department. The essential service daily
rendered BY faithful members can never be known Or
sufficiently appreciated; and, taken in connection
with the introduction Of the Croton water to this City,
it is to their devotion that indebted for tie Sc
Guilty which we now enjoy from destruction by FIRE.
From tie last report Of the Chief Engineer weearn
that daring he pas: year there have been three hun
dred srd eghiy-fve fires, with loss buildings Of
eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars and two
millions and seventy'hree thousand dollars wares.
There had taken place two hundred AID twenty-one
additional alalms, mostly caused by burning chin
nova .niri,yss ex osicsa sc while f,r the residue
DO real cause could be ascertained. This loss Is large
as oontrasted with former years but when we con-
slider the dreadful confagratons that have recently
visited other sections Of the country, Mr.. Carson
thinks should congratulate ourselves that we have
80 fortunately escaped. Doubtless one-hali OF the
fires in this City are caused by incendiarsm, aud one
quarter BY carelessness. Mr. Pevefely was foriu-
nsiey caught in the very act, while, II he had applied
the acb, all evidence Of bis guilt would have been
destroyed. Oftentimes when fires are e1tinguished