The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-22
OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SUGGESTIONS LOOKING TO THE M
PROTEHENT OF THE sERYICE.
A Statement of the Work During the Past
Year and the Advance That Has
Been Msde-Annual Report.

esting statements and suggestions SUBJ
mitted to the Mayor and City Council.
The report says:
The equipment OF the department is
| comparatively new and in first-class con-
dtion. There were added to the depart
ment the past year two improved double
acting engines, furnished. respectively,
by the La France and Clapp & Jones
Engines companies; one improved hose
| wagon, four thousand feet hose. and seven
| horses bought and exchanged.
The board deemed il advisable. I'm view
or the enormous Increase Of work and
to add 70 its efficiency, to make the office
| OF the First Assistant Chief permanent.
which was done by the election OF George
| G, Shaw, Esq. and fixed his salary at
| 1920 per annum.
IL was found necessary either to ex-
pend a considerable amount on repairs for
the engine-hOuse on Third street or re-
build on the present site; and the hand
some structure there how, complete and
convenient, was the final result, which
was accomplished without any additional
appropriation.
The board further recommends. and
earnestly represents. that the engine
house and Third p6lice-station should be
separated. and as 10 is understood that
the removal Of the engine company
causes the property 20 revert TO other
owners, making il a total loss to the city.
II would make IL unWise 10 move the
engine company; but the men and horses
are deprived Of every convenience and
comfort simply for the want of room.
ana FOR the reasons named they sincerely
trust that you SO legislate as TO give the
Board Of Fire Commissioners complete
control.
All other fire stations. with that ex-
ception. and the joint quarters Of No. 1
truck and No. 3 steamer, are comfortable
and comm0dious.
The city authorities are again urged
10 make a sufficient appropriation 70
make the central companies fun paid;
ana while the necessity exists TO place
the entire department on full-paid
basis. yet in view OF the rapidly increas-
ing work and the erection Of large es-
adjustments Of all kinds. II is important
that when the department reaches the /
fire, Il should be fully equipped with |
men 20 handle the apparatus. and I'm |
many instances 10 crush out the fire I'm
its inciplency
Another serious obstacle 10 the eff |
cheney Of the department Is the outlet |
10 the plugs. which the national inspector
for the insurance companies has COM
planned OF. They should be changed from !
what they now are-about 7-S-to -.
which is the diameter Of orr hose The |
advantage is palpable and this nneces-
sary diminished quantity Of water that
our engines now receive could be In
creased by the change. which would not
cost $1,000. Inasmuch as the Board Of
Underwriters are Judging every fire de-
urfrre frr rI |
by fifty per cent the rates I'm neighbor-
Ing cities. 10 can be readily understood
the Importance Of the highest efficiency
that can be attained ln order 10 avoid
such a result which would obviously
reach all classes.
Among the needs ~ the department
will be the purchase ~ ihird-size Hayes
truck. and az least one chemical engine.
the latter 20 be- located near the centre
)f the city.
At any point I'm the city the mains are
inadequate and the supply NJ Z
NE great elevator fire I'm 1893 would only /
supply one engine. The Chief Engineer
escorted 20 Shock0e creek. which is nat
rally very damaging 20 the engines.
81 such points as Fulton and the south
tide OF the Basin. where large interests
ire centred the mains are too small .
While daily through continuous dumping, =
The board earnestly recommends the !
obstruction Of dry cisterns on our Drin-
iral streets. one of these can bee placed ,
d each block OF the business district,
nd as many as four engines can concen
rate al that one spot. and on their ar
wal az the fire water rs turned on and
lev are ready FOR work. The advantages
re- Full supply Of water and short lines
, hose: stronger streams. greatly lessen 9
4 work for the men and great saving c
hose These cisterns are now univer- :
ally used North and West.
The fre-alarm system has worried well J.
lring the past year and must continue
DO so under the faithful watch ~ the
lmpetent officer I'm charge Through the
.nerosity Of the Council the board have
lded complete and improved register I
with their auxiliaries be- =
des the order for twenty-cight school .
nd other boxes. while new copper circuits
ave encircled the city until the fire
arm system Of this city will compare
lvorably with any In this country.
The board reneWs the recommendation ,
n an inspector Of buildings and fire .
arshal combined, which, upon reflection.
in plainly show its great importance ,
al prevent perhaps many serious losses
The report Of chief Engineer W. G..
uller contains the following statistics: ,
There were during the year l4 bell
arms. Y second alarms IS special calls
nd g. still alarms making a toal " Z6j-
D increase Of 70 over the previous year
The losses have been heavy. hut We .
ave great cause 70 thank God that We .
ave not had any serious conhagrations.
ing able in nearly every instance 10
milne the fire 20 the building I'm which ,
originated. =
The following table shows the runs :
ade by each company. y