The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-09-24
THE NEW YORK FIRE pEpARrMEgg.
Some Increasing Facts About Very Ed.
Client and Admirable Force.


Although the single swing of pendulum
only measures second of time, yet each
one of these periods may be so intimately
and directly connected with events of such
vital interest as to become Of the greatest
Importance. 1t is doubtful if there be any
moment, in any calling, in which so many
movements bearing Immediately upon the
result are crowded as in the fire depart.
ment when an alarm is received. The ease
with which an ineipient fire can be extin-
guished, and the fearful rapidity with which
it spreads and gets beyond control, COM
PEELED the adoption of every device and
method that would in any way lessen the
time intervening between the alarm and the
arrival at the fire. Consequently each frac-
ton of second is carefully guarded lest
it escape before having seen the performance
of some step tending toward the accomplish
ment of the main object. The seeming
confusion, the apparent mixing up of men,
horses, and machinery, is the outcome of
persistent study aided by thorough &c
quaintance with the wants, and with even
the minutest detail that could be made sub
servient.
All the fire alarm boxes in this city are
connected by wires with the headquarters
ed. When the hook in the box is turned
down, the alarm is made only at the head
quarters, where the operator, by the aid of
a switch board, instantly sends the number
of TINT particular box to every fire company
in the city. In each company's house, near
the door, are placed the gongs, recording
apparatus, etc. The first alarm is sounded
upon small gong, Familiarity known as the
joker, and the first stroke sets in motion a
train of mechanical movements which,
though in operation but an instant, produce
most strange results, and change scene of
quiet into one of startling activity and Of
absorbing interest to the stranger who
chances to be present The first impulse OF
electricity passing over the wires attracts
the armature of q magnet, which releases a
small weight sliding on a rod placed beside
the gong. This weight strikes the arm of a
lever that permits the fall of o heavy weight
located below the floor, and which is SO
connected as to withdraw the bolts holding
the halters of the horses, who dash forward
to their places under the harness. The
same impulse of electricity has sounded the
alarm upon the gongs in the sleeping apart
m mt on the second floor, and the men come
sliding down the brass rods. The time OF
receiving the alarm is recorded by small
clock That is stopped at the first stroke Be-
fore the gong has ceased ringing the haf-
ness has been dropped and clasped, the
driver is belted to his seat, and the men
are waiting for the doors to be rolled back.
So far each company in the department
has gone through these operations, since all
are compelled to hook up at every alarm.
The boiler of the engine is directly connect
ed with q coil of pipe in an ordinary egg
shaped stove placed in the basement. Low
down upon the rear of the engine are two
pipes which are attached by telescope joints
to two pipes leading up from the coil.
When the engine is TO go out, two valves
which prevent the escape of water from the
boiler are closed by moving lever, and o
rod Pressed down through hole in the
floor. This rod operates four valves two
of which close the pipes leading to a small
tank in the ceiling, in order that the coil
may be supplied with water during the alb
sence of the engine. The rod also raises the
lid of the stove to deaden the fire.
The strokes upon the joker might be
compared to a serious of dots and dashes
sounded quickly-thus, two strokes and
pause, three strokes and a pause, and five
strokes would indicate that the alarm came
from box 235. These strokes are repeated
two or three times by the joker, and are
then told off, but much moro deliberately,
upon the large gong. This arrangement ia
10 save time, and while the men are hitch.
ing up they are counting the strokes, and il
there is any doubt about the number they
wait until the signal is given by the big
gong. But it generally happens that the
engine is on its way to the fire before the
second gong has begun its work. After the
exact number has been ascertained, all those
companies which are expected to respondto
that number start for the scene of the fire,
while the other companies, after waiting
time, unlock the horses and place the ap-
paratus in the condition il was before the
alarm struck We thus see that one stroke
places the entire force of the department on
the alert, and fifty-four engine companies
(nine of which are double companies, and
are provided with an extra engine and n
large number of men), seventeen hook and
ladder companies and the two water towers
are ready to turn out at every alarm. Many
of the companies are frequently out of their
houses in three, four, or five seconds, and
at the last horse show in Madison Square
Garden, this city, Engine Company SO
hitched up once in II seconds, once in Il
seconds, and once in l "a seconds-or
three consecutive times in less than 2 Sc
conds.
The most important item in the time
question is getting the horses in harness.
The horses are placed in stalls as near the
pole as practicable, and are kept bridled.
The harness is attached to the engine, and
is raised to such height that the horse has
no difficulty in passing to his place beneath
it. 1t is suspended from Y-shaped frame
of tubing at each end of which is pivoted
q downwardly curved hook, upon which
the harness rests. The reins pass through
a catch in the center of the frame, SO that
by pulling them the hooks are released and
the harness allowed to fall upon the backs
of the horses. The collars are hinged at the
middle, and one free end is provided with
bolt which enters socket in the other end,
in which it is held by spring catch. The
hinge is made wide SO as to prevent lateral
movement and insure the entrance of the
bolt when the ends are brought together.
The sleeping quarters of the officers and
men are on the second floor. Through the
floor, in locations SO as to be most quickly
used are three openings, in the center OF
each of which is a smooth brass rod leading
to the floor below. Upon the third floor are
the billiard room, lockers, drying room,
which has zinc floor, and together with
the bathroom, is heated by q furnance in