Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-22
The FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A WELL-CoNDUCTED BRANCH OF THE
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Engine and Truck Houses in the Best
Condition Fine Teams and
Complete Appliances.

engine ana Truck houses IN the BeSl
Condition Fine Teams and
Complete Appliances.
A few days since RECORD UNION re-
porter fell in with Chief Engineer O. Meara
of The Fire Department and Fire Commits
sioner Slater while these officials were pay
ing visits of inspection to some of the
engine-houses, and joined them. The Fire
Commissioners had recently authorized
Chief OF eara to have certain repairs made
to the house of Engine No. l, and the re-
porter was shown through the building. A
few months ago this house had the reputa-
ton of being in the worst condition of any
in the department, and the transformation
it has undergone is remarkable The in
terror of the building has been thoroughly
renovated throughout and is now a credit
to the city. A new and solid floor has been
put in, and the broken plastered ceiling re-
| placed by one of vanished wood. The
walls are newly calcimined and tinted. and
| the wood work neatly painted.
| The sink which formerly occupied con-
| spicuous place just inside the front door
| has been removed to the rear of the main
room, where also place has been arranged
| for keeping the hay for the horses Every
thing about the place was in the best of
order, not speck of dirt being visible and
not an article out of its place.
The upper story was found in equally
as good order. In the front is the fremen's
sitting-room neatly furnished, and the
bedrooms were also models of neatness and
comfort. In the rear of the latter a neat
bathroom and closet has been fitted up,
| also room with locker for repair materi-
! ais, hats, etc. The painterssa and calcimim-
| ers have also done good work there.
Returning to the lower floor, Chief
O'Meara requested engineer George Cross
man to call out the horses, that the re-
porter might see how well they were
drilled. There were three horses in the
| neat stalls in the rear end of the room, all
| facing toward the street. Engineer Cross
man pressed an electric button on the
south wall fthe room, and with the rapid
| ity of magic gas Jet in the rear of the
room blaZed up; the same movement auto
| matically released weight that held closed
| the doors in front of the horses stalls; the
latter flew open and the large, sleek and
powerful horses bounded forth and trotted
briskly 10 their places in front of the en-
CINE and hose carriage. A single move
ment of the engineers arm caused the her-
ness TO drop upon their backs, the clasps
on the ends of the collars snapped as the
latter came together and all was in readi-
ness for run.
The Chief stated that just fifteen seconds
were required Ia quarter of minute) from
the moment an alarm was received to
start the engine on its way to the fire.
Not only has the house been placed in
fine condition, but the fire engine itself has
| received considerable attention. The wheels
have been provided with new steel tires an
inch in thickness, as also have those of the
hose carriage, thus ]essening the liability
to accidents. In short, Engine No. l, its
house, and all appurtenances thereto, are
now in the very best possible condition,
thanks 10 the good judgment Of the gentle
men composing the Board of Fire Commits
sioners, and the energy and ability dis
played by Chief O'Meara. The cost of
these Improvements amounted to 81 600, of
which 81 400 was expended on the interior
of the house and engine, and $500 in lay
ing cement walk in front of the house,
and granite block driveway from the door
to the street.
The party next paid visit to the ew
hook and ladder house, on Sixth street.
between X and L. Here was found ready
for service the Kimball truck, which had
been recently repaired and put into serv-
ice for winter use. The truck is supplied
with new wheels throughout, two new
ladders, and a place beneath fer holding
the firemens working clothes, ropes, axes,
etc. The footboard on each side has also
been extended, so that twenty men can
now be carried on the truck in going to
fire. The truck has been handsomely
painted and vanished, and all al an ex-
pense of only S126.
The Hayes truck, which is much larger
and heavier, has been removed for the
winter to the old Pavilion, where it stands
in readiness for work, and can be started
on five minutes notice. Owing TO the ter
ribly muddy condition of the ungraded
streets, it has been found necessary TO dis
perse with the use of the heavy Hayes
truck, unless fire should occur in some
high structure down town, on the paved
streets. Outside of the latter, the Kimball
truck is deemed competent for any emer-
gency. The latter carries two Babcock
tire-extinguishers, IN addition to its other
paraphernalia.
The hook and ladder house-whch is
one of the best arranged and handsomest
of which any city in the State can boast
was found to be as neat and tidy as indus
trious hands could make it. MIR. Ladd, the
driver of the truck, sees that everything is
kept in its place and in proper condition.
The horses, like those of engine No. l. are
splendid animals-large, powerful, spirited
and tractable.
Indeed, as regards the teams for the sew
eral engines, trucks and hose carriages the
city has been very fortunate. And here,
again, the excellent business tact displayed
by the Fire Commissioners and Chief En-
gineer is deserving of commentator. The
team belonging to engine No. are hand
some bays, five years old, and worth
probably $780, They wers purchased only
a few months ago for $3.50. The horses
employed to haul the hook and ladder
truck are equally fine and valuable. and
cost the city even less than those of No. Is
engine.
From Messrs. O'Meara and Slater it was
learned that all the other fire department
property was in as good condition as that
inspected The city is the owner of three
steam Amoskeag engines, one Clspp IL
Jones engine, Hayes hook and ladder
truck, and q Kimba!l hook and ladder
outfit. There are six hose-caris, two of
which we're made by II NJ. Bernard of
this city, one by Hill & Son, aud two were
made in Stockton. There is one four
wheeled hose. carriage of the Amoskesg
pattern Each hose carriage is provided
with 500 feet of tirst-class hose. which IS
| much more than is Us d in other cities.
The men in charge of the various houses
| say they have no grievances 10 complain
of; that the Fire Commissioners and Chief
| O'Meara refuse no requests for articles or
repairs that they find to be necessary and
| that the department is in most efficient
condition.