The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1886-04-22
The Columbus Fire Depart.
liAenl,

Many of our readers, perhaps,
have never had an opportunity Of
knowing just what constitutes fire
department IN city the size of Col
umbus.
In most smaller towns there is
usually bell at some central point
where the fire alarm is sounded. AT
tho first tap of tho bell every one
within bearing is expected to grasp
a bucket and hurry TO the sceno OF
the FIRE.
In towns the size of Logan there
is usually a volunteer fire company.
We have here a fire engine and a
house. A man is hired by tho
year to look after the engine and is
always expected to be at his post
when call is made; 10 keep the
engine in good condition aud to see
that it is at work during the prog,
rcss of Tho FIRE. A run of half a
mile Is frequently made, the heavy
engine being pulled by the mem.
Les OF Mo fire company and such
other persons as SEQ 6t to lend as
sistancc.
In larger cities the demands are
so great that regular force Of men
are hired as fremcn, aud stationed
at different points about the town.
At these stations or engine houses
will bc fou nd hose carts, engines and
in somo of them hook and ladder
wagons. Back of tho m ain room
whero they are kept, is the stsbl les.
There the best horses that the mar
kets afford will be found, and al
ways a. ready for a threo milo run
as school boy for frolic. At the
head Of zach horse is door lead.
ing into the room whore engines and
hose carts are located.
Now. at every station there is .
large gong suspended from the wall
and a telegraph line leading to all
stations 90 connects them, that tap
upon one gong sounds at least q
dozen. II thero be that many sta
tions in the city. Furthermore the
wires that connect tho alarm gongs
also lend to the stable doors and
halter straps of theIhorses; SO that
n tap on . gong not only sounds an
alarm at every station, but throws
open the stable doors and frees the
horses. Every horse has been
trained to know his position. The
harness is supended above the place
he is to take. and at the first tap of
the bell he is ready.
The duties of o fireman are not
only laborious but dangerous. Moth
ing but disability excuses them
from duty. They are expected to
be.ready at all hours of the day and
night. During a recent visit to
Columbus we called at the engine
house OH the corner of High and
Fulton streets, and through the
kindness of the forenlan, Mr.. Leon
ard Buckho't2, were permitted to
inspect the building and sleeping
apartments of the men. There is
one main room in the second story
and each man has q bed to himself.
This room is large, airy and we'll
lighted. The floor is carpeted and
furniture all that could be desired.
Connected with this is bath room
furnished with hot and cold water,
whers every member of the force IS
compelled to take a bath at least
once q week. Each man has q
wardrobe to himself. When the
men retire for the nights they DIS
r, be and:place q pair Of trousers with
gum boots attached, at the side of
the bed. In the centre of the floor
a large square hole has been cut out
and leading up from the ground
floor to the ceiling above, is a pole
covered with brass. The instance
an alarm is sounded the men dress
as quickly as possible and slide
down this pole. To give an idea of
how rapidly the men work, the fol-
lowing time is taken from a print
ed record at the station: Some time
ago the underwriters in the city de-
termined t. give the fire depart
ment a test alarm and see which
force would be first ready for SER
vice. Two reliable men were sent
to each station 10 see that all the
men were asleep but the watchman.
Tho alarm was given at late hour,
and in 19a seconds the men at the
sta ion on the corner of High and
Fulton streets were ready to make
the run, having been awakened
from sound sleep, dressed, harm
cssed and hitched their horses, and
taken their places upon the engine
and hose cart in that time. This
was the quickest time recorded.
The firemen of Columbus are a
fine looking body of men. They
are intelligent and gentIemaply |
and have the dash and courage to
surmount all difficulties. Upon
these qualities, of course, DIP :nds
their value to the public. We cx.