The record-union., 1893-08-02
COULD Be IMPROVED.
Chief Guthrie Talks About the Fire
Department.
A Chemical Engine Would Render In
valuable seryice-Another Steamer
and Hook and Ladder Needed,

"Do l think Sacramento's Fire De-
partment is complete?''
Chief Engineer Guthrie thought for a
moment.
well, no, it is not. Still, Sacramento
has far more efficient service than many
other cities of her size in the United
States. This is not altogether due to the
paraphernalia furnished the department
by the city, but, to my mind, more to the
bravery and enthusiasm of the men who
handle the hose and machines. But the
department, so far as equipment is con-
cerned, could and should be improved" :"
I'm what way?" asked the interviewer
well, now, you know we have only
three engines and one hook and ladder in
active service. Instead of this, in order
to be able to say that no fire could get
away from US we should have four en-
glnes in active service, two hook and lad
1ers and one chemical engine. / am par
Icuiarly cranky on the subject of chem
zeal engines. and | Will never rest salts
tied until Sacramento has one. A chem
zeal engine in Sacramento could handle
two-thlrds OF the fires unassisted. You
see the advantage of these machines is the
raplulty with which they can be put in
action. They can be driven up in front
OF house, the hose run out and the fire
eXtlngulshed while the fire engines are
making connections with plugs. Now,
you know that means a whole lot in
many cases. 1t often happens that while
the hre engines are getting into shape for
action the flames get such a start that all
We can do then is to save the adjoining
buildings, whereas a chemical could have
eXtlngulShed the blaze before it got out
OF one room. The chemical engine is
great on incipient fires. 1t is not expected
TO be OF much service in cases OF big con-
nagratlons. 4 chemical engine would
cost the city but $500, and it would pay
ior Itself in saving property in a few
months. L exchange reports with chiefs
OF departments all over the country. and
am informed that since the advent Of
the chemical engine the losses by fire
throughout the United States have de-
creased 90 per cent. That speaks pretty
well. doesn't it?
Il have another hobby" continued the
Chief, ''and l am going to stick to il.
That is on the subject of cisterns Pm a
great believer in cisterns. Every we'll
regulated city has cisLerns. While they
may not be OF service in the case of every
lire, they are Invaluable in instances of
break-dOYnS at the Water Works, sun
pose, for instance. that right at the hight
OF big fire in Sacramento the Water
works should break down and that's
something that may happen any time).
we would be in bad fix, wouldn't we?
OF course, we would. The destruction Of
the whole city might be the result. 1t
breaks me all up to see any Of our cis-
terms filled in, as has been the case sew
eral times. and | am now making fight
TO prevent the filling OF those at Third
and and Fourth and streets. The
clsterns now i'll Sacramento, if properly
made, Will hold 1900 gallons of water
each, and 1t would take an engine over
AN hour. throwing two streams, to pump
one OF them dry. And then you can Get
a better stream from them than from
plug. IN cases OF big fires where plenty
OF water is needed they are Invaluable.
owing to the scarcity OF plugs"
Chief Guthrie said, in conclusion, that
the city should never let up in the work
OF putting III new hre-plugs throughout
the municipality. Too many could not
De put in, and every year should see a
healthy increase OF them.
The Chief leaves Sacramento for ten
day visit 10 San Francisco, Monterey and
other places. Yesterday was the TWENTY
irst anniversary of his connection with
the paid fire department OF Sacramento.
lie was prior to that a member OF the
volunteer service for three years.