Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-04-01
Report of the Chief Engineer of
the Fire Department.

Columbus Fire Department., makes one of
the fullest and most complete reports of
the condition, expenses and efficiency of the
Fire Department of this city, that we re-
member ever to have seen. 1t is full his
tory OF the Introduction of steam fire en-
gines; Of the number of fires and fire
alarms during the year; comparison. of
the cost of this department with those of
other cities, and in fact contains all that is
of interest or worth knowing in relation to
this most important branch of the public
service.
He calls attention to the scarcity ofwater
Many portions of the thiekly populated
parts of the city are almost entirelyunpro-
tected. The cisterns are e.to % much scatter
ed, and their capacity entirely too small.
The outskirts of the city are entirely with
out water. He states that there are now
in use but 81 cisterns, with an estimated
capacity of 2l,752 barrels. Of this number
SO are small, containing but 250 barrels
each, or but little larger than yard cisterns
and can be exhausted by our steamers in
from II to 20 minutes in case of fire.. Z
There has been no material change in
the department during the year. The ap-
paratus is in excellent condition. There
are at present ten horses in the department,
in the best condition for service.
There have been Al fires and alarms. dur
ing the past year, two of which were false
alarms The amount of damage done by
fire amounts to $I7,512.23. on which there
was an Insurance of $15,7OO23, being a
t. tai loss over insurance of $2, 260.
The ordinary expenses of running the
department. for the year have only reached
$1O,ss3.2 %, which, together with expenses
for repairs, insurance, outstanding in
debtedness paid, taxes. &c., make grand
totaIof $l4, ,692.32, as follows: Third Street
Engine House, $3,237.37; North EHgine
House, $3,157.21; South Engine House,
$3,110.61; general expenses, $1,29SO2; ex-
traordinary expenses, $3,SS9.10; and shows
that this department is run at less cost
than any other steam fire department, hav-
ing an equal amount of apparatus, in the
country. -.
The comparatively small force of men, as
well as material, under the command of the
Chief Engineer, and the large extent Of ter
ritory to be operated in, renders it neces-
sary that the machinery should be kept in
the most complete and thorough order for
instant use; that the men should be reliable
and experienced in their various duties as
firemeu, and prompt in their discharge; and
compels the conclusion that there exists a
great necessity for a new steamer to be To-
Gated in the eastern portion of the city to
make the department. thoroughly useful,
and give prompt protection to that fast
growing part of our city. The large in
crease of buildings and the storage of in
tiamma3le material in many localities, have
largely augmented the fire risk-say nearly
fifty per cent.--since the establishment OF
the department, seven years ago.
The number of new buildings erected
and examined by the Chief Engineer dur.
ing the past year, is 220; of this number
129 were brick and 81 frame.
He states the necessity for the, appoint
ment of an additional hoseman at each en-
gine house. This is absolutely required
because it is impossible to properly tight
en- couplings while the engine is at work
as things now are, and without stopping
the Iengine it cannot be done. The present
force of the department consists of IA men
as follows: One Chief Engineer, three
engineers, three firemen, three engine
drivers, three hosemen, one foreman
of hook and ladder, with three first-class
steam fire engines, three hose carriages
one ffrst-class hook and ladder truck
each drawn by horses, 400 feet of rubber
hose.
Appended to his report are the Rules anC
Regulations for the government of the Fire
department, an inventory of property com
mitted to the care of each house, and tab
ular statement of the amount of work eacf
engine has performed during the year, {
list of the public cisterns, their location
condition, and capacity, and detailed
statement of the expenses showing tt
whom and for what purpose the money
was expended.
He strongly urges the application of th'
Fire Alarm Telegraph to this city, stating
that with it and four steam engines, tn,
city would be safe from any disastrou
conflagration. With the Fire Alarm Tele
graph, fully one-third of the smaller fire
would be prevented, by giving quick ant
timely notice of the precise locality of tn
fire, and in bringing the department to it a
once, saving much valuable time in com
municating alarms in the first stages O
fires, which any one, however ignoran
of fire duty, must acknowledge to be o
vital importance. He hopes something
will be done to perfect system of alarms
either by giving us larger bells or putin!
up the Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Col. Marrow has also prepared most in
teresting history of the Introduction int
this city OF the steam fire department
which will be submitted to the Council
with his report, and which we will give to-
morrow. ~