New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-26
THE FIRE INSURANCE PATROL.
ITS WORK IN THE CITY-ELECTRc LIGHTS on
STEAMSHIPS.

ITS WORK IN THE CITY--ELECTRC LIGHTS on
STEAMSHIPS.
The efficiency of the Fire Insurance Patrol
Is Of recent date II has been in existence since 1882
but earlier days 1t eted out precarious existence
and its work was Indifferent. Then night only
required; details OF men stand always within
hearing Of the sound Of the The city proper is IL
vided into four districts with many patrols. Each
district has station located as follows; one In Murray
ST. its district comprising al souh OF Canast another
In Great Jones-st called Central Station the district
including all between Canal and Fourteenthsts third
Thireth-st. sixthve., the district extending
from Fourteenth Fy-ninthsts; the fourth district
being from Fftyninthst- to the Harlem River. At the
two downtown stations permanent forces OF ten men
each attend 10 day duty and night there are twenty
In the third station mentioned seven men do
day nty and tue force Is donDed night In the Har
lem district four employed at all times AT each
Of these stations there extra and teams for
emergency. There are, therefore. in reality two
details the three lower stations, which include the
thickly built and most valuable part OF the Me-
tropolis.
The secretary Of the Fire Patrol Committee, william
W. Rhndeu, said to TRIBUNE reporter recently: We've
no desire to blow oar own trumpet in this matter But
those who well posted in the abOrs aud achievements
OF the service have 10 hesancy saying that the work
Of the year. that is, May, 1851 to the present
time by far the best that has been done in the last
twelve years"
Do You consider Tie service and the number Of sta
lions large enough for the whole cityF'
Eyes" MIR Raudell replied. four stations are ample.
Yen Of fires occur about midnight and at
that time our details are doubled. The second detail,
however ont unless by special call from the
captain. At large fires like the recent one IN Park-row,
We usually commands from the lower
stations"
"What implements are carried the patrol wagons 2"
"WelL they are loaded with tarpauin, buckets, fire
cvtiugushrreand covers The covers, you know, we
throw over goods to protect them from the
water and also from the fire. We are
having four large covers Of heavy duck
canvas made TO use IN catching per-ons when they
JUMP o. m ] 5T,i I'm, o,d viii he h ID
by large force Of men. We snail have one oil these
Have theee ever been known TO do any good p
ION, yes indeed but the efficiency of c0ur depends
altogether upon the way they are handled Ii gang OF
strong holds them out taut, so as to prevent the
body striking tie gr ana when II lais, you can
yuuse see what good hey would do. Blu, tne trouble
comes from not having them mana &C catcfiih.
DO the the patrol differ in any marked de
gree from the ordinary IRE engine house "
No; they are ali about alike aud they are managed
in the same wy. The horses are triinyd-n fact
| Nee Yon see the Fire Patrol ought really
be at the fire before the freengnes, In oder to be
scrvicbe Consequently, our mon mGst be as expert
ia getting out as thr memeh, OF theT services Wouui
| BE- worth "a of pins"
ID" YOU consi tr the great number OF Telegraph anu
electric gnt wires in the city cause for alarm e
Yes, lndeod. there good deal OF danger to be APP
| pretended from TIE wires, particularly IRON tno-e
when Improperly insulated. The board OF Under
has adopted staudrd for el crt liant wires
lamps etc. ami taken Othor precau ionary steps.
The electric tceg aph, however Is ~ a. tAg Tor te
| tire ana Patrol departments III giving allrius Inc
minute az the origin Of the re Is worm an hOnr
| afterwuri. As for the electric lshts-tAey Me "a
| nuisance"
maintaining the Fire Patrol last year was 5000 3D.
Under It's protection Ia The city south VI fniy ninth
st. we're l,u6s buildings Of when 3l,OI1 We're occi-
pied dwellings, Wine che reporter was taking with
secretary Randall officer one Of the steamship
compnlC came to make inquiries concerning tue new
regula ions already ALLUDED In regard 10 the eecI1c
wires The old Dominion Line, running between New
York aud Richmond, has been using, mp 10 the present
tuc c.cctrlc headlight. Inc course np the James
River Is 50 crooked the river so narrow Jb6t
powerful light is required steer by The Oihcr came
10 inquire whether gala Jns affected steam
ships or not An examination VIII be made aS soon a.
| lo.aD C. but uut that time the old Dominion will no
| usr clcctrlc headlight