The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-05-23
Fire u Department.


The firemen of our city, wishing to
form more effective organization, have
been for some time examining the or
CARNATIONS of other cities, and finally
adopted the Pittsburg plan. A commit
tee was then appointed to draft an or
dinance embodying the plan adopted,
and present it to the Council for it's
adoption, which was done about week
ago, and the ordinance will be taken up
fer consideration by the Second Branch
next Tuesday evening. We give below
synopsis of the provisions of the ordi-
nance: .... ---r.-.-,,-..r
The Fire Department Of the city shall
consist of Chief Engineer and four
delegates from each fire company, one
of whom shall be Director in Chief of
the Company. The number of Assist
ant Engineers shall equal the number
of companies, and Directors in Chief
only will be eligible to the Office.
The delegates from the companies
shall elect the Chief Engineer for the
term of one year, subject to the con-
tirmation of the Council.
The Chief Engineer shall have sole
command at fires over all other engin-
GERS and members of the Fire Depart
mcnt, and all other persons who may be
present; and shall take all proper meas
ures for the extinguishment of fires and
protection of property.
There shall be committee of Inspec-
ton appointed by the Fire Department,
which shall consist of delegates to the
same, equal in number to the companies
represented. 1t shall be the duty of the
committee to examine the condition Of
the engines and other fire apparatus as
often as circumstances render it neces-
sary, and make an annual report to the
Council. Also, to cause full descrip-
ton of the same, together with the
names of the officers and members of the
Fire Department to be published annu-
ally in such manner rs the Council
may direct; and to keep fair and exact
rolls of the respective companies,
specifying the time of admission and
discharge, and the age of each member,
which they shall report in writing to
the City Clerk, who shall file said report
in his office; and said committee shall
report all accidents by fire in the city,
and the cause thereof, as we'll as the num-
Der and description of the buildings de-
stroyed. 80 ss,'lt .sgF-
The Chief Engineer shall give bond
in tho sum of $1,000, for the faithful
performance of his duties. His salary
shall be fixed by the Council, and paid
out of the city treasury.
1t shall be the duty of the Chief and
his assistants, whenever fire shall
break cut, to repair Immediately to the
place of fire, carrying with them suit
able staff, cap or badge of their office,
and shall direct the arrangement of the
fire apparatus, with power TO call upon
all persons present for assistance.
Each company shall annually elect
any number of members from their
own company, not exceeding eight,
to act as fire police, who shall
have the same powers rs the
deputy sergeants of the city to ar.
rest any persons found violating the or
dinances at fire, or at their respective
engine houses. - -.i-A
Any person resisting any engineer or
member of said police in the discharge
of his duty, shall forfeit and pay fine
of not less than ten nor more than
twenty dollars, one half Of which shall
be paid to the fire department. %
The said police, whenever ordered by
the Chief or his assistants, shall form
line Of protection aud prevent any per-
son not a fireman from passing through
said line; and may appoint place for
the storing Of good taken from burn
ing building or building in danger of
being burned. fAS
Any officer or member Of fire COM
pany, when on duty, disobeying any
order given by the Chief or any of his
assistants shall be suspended from all
connection with the fire department for
two years, unless sooner reinstated.
All members of the fire police shall,
when on duty, wear a badge of office
conspicuously displayed.
No fire company shall have attached
thereto any member under the age of
eighteen years.