The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-22
FIRES HAVE TO HUSTLE
IF THEY GET AHEAD OF SAVAN-
NAE'S FIREMBN NOW.

Fire Fighting Machines That Are a
Terror to the Flame Fiend-Chief
Puder's Department. One of the Best,
if Not the Best, Equipped in the
South-The Men Who Are Respon-
siple for 1t.
Savannah's fire department is one of the
best. il not the best. equipped in the state
| In point of efficiency and promptness in
responding to alarms it is superior TO those
Of many cities of much larger population.
The great decrease in fire losses during the
last two years compared with previous years
is the best evidence of this fact The de-
partment is thoroughly equipped with the
latest modern electrical appliances for quick
response TO alarms, and tbs apparatus gets
out of the engine houses in fifteen and
twenty seconds from the time the first
stroke of the gong is sounded.
Chief Puder has thoroughly trained
force of men. The horses are also trained
to the highest degree of perfection attain
able No delay Is experienced on their part.
The moment the alarm taps, the horses are
released by electricity from their stalls and
rush to their places under the swinging har-
ness They are more impatient than the
men to get to a fire, and when once on the
street they make the dust fly.
HARD ON THE FIRES.
A fire that gets away from Savannah's
department has to have long start and
good deal ofinfiam mable matter to feed upon.
There have been numerous instances in the
last few months of the checking Of fires
which seemed at the time Of the arrival of
the department could not possibly result
otherwise than in conhagrations.
One of the greatest aids TO the depart
ment In extinguishing fires is the chemical
engine. Never has the city invested money
to better advantage, or in a way
which has given better practical results. IT
is an invaluable piece of machinery, and the
pet of the firemen. The department could
hardly get along without it. Its use has
saved Thousands of dollars worth Of prop
erty from deluge by water, which would
have resulted had engine or plug streams
been used. But little water Is required in
the preparation of the chemicals, and the
liquid is OF very quick drying character
besides being powerful extinguisher.
FIREMEN's LIVES SAFER.
Another apparatus which has proved a
good investment is the aerial ladder truck.
It is great protector Of the lives OF the
firemen from falling walls. A fireman can
mount 1t with q stream and play into the
upper stories Of building with feeling Of
satisfaction that he Is not in danger of hay
ing his life crushed out should the wall top
pie into the street. Should he be in close
proximity to tottering wall single twist
OF the crank will swing the ladder clear Of
all danger.
The number Of fires is on the decrease,
and the losses In most cases now are of slight
consequence. This is due to the
efficiency OF the department, which responds
with much more celebrity and extinguishes
fires In quicker time than in9ormer years.
THE MEN WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE.
A great deaf deal of this improvement is
due to Alderman Bailey, chairman of the
council committee on fire. and Chief Pudsr.
Alderman Bailey has given the department
the most minute attention since he has been
in the city council, and takes lively inter-
est in improving it in every possible man.
ner.
Chief Puder is untiring in his efforts to
make the Savannah department something
OF which the citizens may feel justly proud.
To say that he has succeeded hardly ex-
presses 1t. No new improvement in the
matter Of fire service escapes his attention,
and he Is quick to adopt it after its utility
and practicability have been demonstrated.
The chairman Of the fire committee and
the chief fireman are in perfect harmony
on everything connected with their depart
ment, and the natural result Is that Savan-
nah to-day has q fire service which
challenges the admiration not only of our
own citizens, but those Of the state as well
who have seen its workings