The New York herald., 1871-01-01
THE FlEE uEPlAfHEII
Record q the Workings During
the Past Year.
4 Gratifying Exhibit-D Decrease ia foases and
Increase in the Efficiency Of the Organization.


ifferent occasions, and have usually conaned it to
the structure In which 1t originated It has been
noted also for great changes in the discipline and
administration OF the department. aud for tic esab.
yahment Of
|, SYSTEM OF BOX ALARM TELEGRAPH
that has vastly lghtened the dusies Of the men
and saved an immense amount OF money The ex.
pertinent OF paid fire department had before been
fuly demonstrated q success; but when Commis.
eioners Hennessey, Blair Galloway Shaler Hitch
men assumed the direction Of affairs they found
ample opportunities for Improvement. During their
term Of service .hey have largely Increased the
morale OF the force by wedding out, after convic-
ton, the worthless members and inspiring the
command with desire to excel in watchfulness,
courage and all the other qualities that 60 to make
. model fireman.
The work OF extending the fire alarm to all parts
Of the city has been severe tax upon the time and
patience OF the commission; but Its members have
overcome all obstacles, and, probably, New York
can, on this lst day OF January, 1871, boast Of
ing the
BEST EouIrPED AND MANAGED FIRE DEPARTMENT
m the world.
The commissioners have just collected data Of the
years business and the results shown are most gra
tying.
They declare that in assuming the charge OF the
most rigid discipline. and have been actuated by
conviction that a full paid fire department., to be
effective and reliable. must be organized, selected
ana controlled with reference to its availability In
the public service. The Officers and men were
nearly all members OF the old fire department and
have become thoroughly disciplined In their duties.
BY the
RIGID WEEKLY TRIALS
1 men 1t Is believed that ALL or nearly all, OF the
houa han, .,,fr-a
who remain may be considered as the veterans OF
the organization. The admission OF new members
under thirty-fve years Of age has been only after
critical examination as to their physical and moral
Atness for the duties required OF them. Dsmlssals
have been made IN all grades, from district engi-
neer 10 private, solely upon the evidence. The
Boards object is to give TO the citizens OF New York
In return for the expenses OF the department. fire
department without its superior to render any ex.
tensiye connagration simply impossible, and to
ATTACK ANY ORDINARY Ffhs
with such raptdity that 1t must be checked before II
has time to spread.
The Commissioners find that the rapid growth Of
the north side or the city renders addition to the
force at the upper end OF the island matter OF ne
cessity AT the present in the district between Fifty
ninth street and Kingsbridge there are but eight
HALF PAID COMPANIES.
They propose to substitute for them full companies,
to be located, two Oh the east side and on the
west side, with steamers and all appliances, to
Quench fires IN those rapidly growing districts. To
accomplish this will considerably increase the itom
OF expenses for next year; but the Commissioners
Will not hesitate to assume the responsibility, trust
ing to the generous support OF the public.
FIRES.
Alive to the fact that the paramount duty OF the
department Is the prevention and suppression OF
fpno tho ropou quso frOuo i'm,
pressed upon their officers and men the I'M
perative duty OF waicntulness and prompt
ness In their respective positions. In
celcrity OF action. attended with coolness
method and alertness on the part OF the force they
believe, consists the safety of the property OF the
citzen and In nearly every case, however formida-
BILE, the threatened connagratlon they have been
able by being promptly on the spot, to cope With
the flames before they could spread beyond the
building In which they originated. The prompt
action OF the companies and the fact tnat they nave
their horses harnessed, men in position and fires
lighted in from IA to % seconds from the tlme the
alarm Is sounded. affords no time for a confagra.
tion to gain Roadway.
HALF PAY.
The Board will likely suggest at some future time
legislation securing the retirement OF old and valua
be members upon haif pay. This, 1t is believed
would be an additionai Incentive the to per-
form their duties faithfully and fearlessly.
TIE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
The Commissioners lock with pride 10 the success
of the new experiment, the fire alarm telegraph.
Messrs q. W. j. n. Chester IS completed and
ready for use throughout the Island. 1t Is now IN
be very complete, so far as tested. The cost Of the
Introduction OF this excellent system, which already
Of fire. is about $500, ooa and an additlsna appro-
bratlon Will be reqnirel to llquldate the claim OF
the v "hen Is IN la; Ion
in Losses will be still more marked Nearly all the
large occurring this year have been above Four
tecn,h street, where the box alarm system is not
THE CHIEF ENGINEER's REPORT.
John L. Peliey CHIEF Engineer in his report places
the total number Of fires at s6l and the estimated
loss 81 l2o,2l2 which, compared with the previous
Sion 10 loss Of $500 Isl. During the year "a new
hydrans have been placed in different parts Of the
city by the Department OF Pablo Works. OF which
20 have been located in Carmansve, and with q
good pressure OF water-an advantage not before
possessed at that town. The services of the fire.
ton on two occasions-the first on the packet ship
William I. Stoler and the last at lis and 100 Maiden
neer recommends more stringent legislation as to
Jhe storage OF this dangerous and nnammable COM
pound, and all others Of coMbustiblc and explo-
klve character.
ROSTER OF THE FORCE.
The present force consists OF one chief engineer,
one assistant engineer three chiefs OF brigades, six
ch efs of battaiions, three extra engineers OF
cleaners and SIX hundred officers and men; Mr.. G.
Il. Goldstcin as secretary or the Board and Mr..
Charles l. Chaplin superintendent of tc,cgraphs.
Chief OF Battalion John Conley is IN command Of
engine companies nos 4, Q, 10 and 20, and hook
and ladder No. 10.
Chlcf OF Brigade william Brandon is IN command
OF engine companies Nos Ii, 20, q a..a 81" nd hook
and ladier No. 3.
CHEF OF Brigade Eli Bates commands engine COM
paEics Nos Q. IL. Is and IL, and hook and ladder
Nos. and e.
Chief Of battalion Gilbert j. Orr commands engine
companies Nos 8, IA and ~, and hook and ladder
Nos. and IL.
Chief OF Battalion Charles O. Shay commands en-
gne companies Noe. s, rs, rs and SO, and hook and
ladder Nos and II.
Chief or Battalion Thomas sullivan commands en-
CINE companies Nos. 2, le, %. 20 and "a, and nook
and ladder No. 4.
Clncf OF Brigade William w. Rhodes commands
engine companies Nos 8, 1G and q, and hook and
ladder Nos. and I.
Chief OF Battalion William Banham, Jr., commands