Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-07
FIRE PROTECTION.
SOME IDEAS FOR TUB RETIREMENT OF THE
LOCAL DEPARTMENT,
Advanced BY Chief H,aly-Hs Advocates consol-
idadon ofTwo Houses and the Building ola
New Hose House at Sixteenth and
AcColloch Streets

Chief Healy, OF the fire department.
has lately been devoting a good deal OF
thought TO plans for the betterment Of
the fire fighting department Of the city
government, and has evolved plan for
the Improvement OF the department
which he will urge before the Council
Committee at the proper time during
the coming spring.
The contemplated change does not re-
late particularly to the purchase Of any
now apparatus, but rather to the better
distribution OF the present appliances.
through consolidation OF two OF the
houses, and the erection OF IA new house
In the eastern portion OF the city.
In the matter OF consolidation, the
Chief will advocate the Abandonment OF
both the Atlantic and Hook and Ladder
houses, aud the erection OF new house
somewhere IN the vicinity OF Market
and Eighteenth streets, tho new build
ing TO DO large enough 10 accommodate
tho hook and ladder truck, the Atlantic
steamer and hose wagon, a fuel wagon,
ana perhaps, the police patrol wagon,
while upstairs he would arrange for
the general headquarters OF the depart
ment In the matter OF Office room, and
sleeping and other accommodations for
the men OF the present Atlantic and
hook aud ladder houses. The point
selected, being midway between the
present house on Twenty first street
and the Atlantic, would form, in the
opinion or the Chief, an admirable cen
traI headquarters, equally accessible TO
q
would be distinct Improvement so far
as quickly spending to alarms ia the
business district is concerned, and gen
eraly 10 that portion OF the city in
which are located the largest aud most
valuable buildings
This done, he would entirely abandon
the present houses used by the hook
and ladder and Atlantic, and sell the
buildings and ground, aud would erect.
upon portion OF the present Sixteenth
street cemetery site, concerning which
Council has been asked 10 take some ac-
ton, a building suitable for the present
accommodation OF hose wagon, with
room for a steamer or any other piece
OF apparatus which might be located
there in the future. This would give
the extreme eastern cud OF tho city,
which now has no better protection
than IL had twenty years ago, a great
~ improved service, and enable fire.
men TO quickly reach that large ex-
tent OF the city wing east OF Wood
street around McCu!loch street, on the
new hillside streets, and down on the
10" ground on the bottom, aud in Mau-
chester. These changes would involve
no increase In the present size Of the
department., so far as men are concern
ed, and II is likely TO new apparatus
would be required, as there are Il couple
OF old reels now in the department.
which, with slight repairs. would last
for several years TO come New hose
would be necessary, but that will have
TO bee bought, 10 the extent Of two or
three thousand feet, in any event, as
the department now has smaller sup
ply than % really ought 20 have
An additional change which strikes
the Chief as good one would be- the
erection OF a new building for the
Eleventh street Chemical company, on
the corner OF alley c, just east Of and
Immediately adjoining the present
house, watch could be sold. The cor
ner OF the alley would be much more
desirable place for tho house, which is
q. present too small. With new bnild-
ing, larger on the ground floor, the
Chief would advocate tine location there
OF salvage wagon, fitted with tarpau-
Inns, etc, for the preservation Of goods
Ia the business district, to which the
house is very accessible. This improve
ment, however. IS not so urgent as the
consolidation referred 10 above, and
could wait until the changes first re-
lerred TO had been completed.
60 the necessity OF new quarters
for both tho Atlantic and hook and lad
q aH ..r... ...
Tho Atlantic house is much too smallaud
is iu VIGOROUSLY bad condition. tho
building being absolutely unsafe. Ii has
been "replired," and changed, and
coobied up generally until il is thing
OF shreis and patches, and how 10 holds
together i- matter for almost the daily
wonder OF tno~e familiar With %. The
nook and ladder house is little better
and Us TOO snail, 10 never having the
proper dettn iJ accommodate the au-
paratus, while there has q ways been am
almost total absence OF facilities for
getting iu feed for the horses. etc.
aud the city has been under onIipa-
tious 90 owners ~ surrounding rropprty
for many years. The question OF self
luR This house has more than once been
seriously cons .tnrad bY the Fire Commit.
tees OF previous Councils, but uDon the
plea that 10 would edo for another
year. tue matter las invariably gone
over aud nothing bias been done Large
sums have been -tentin the repairs and
alterations % ttc Atlantic. and the
more money thu- spent the worse the
house got, usto stability. for DO has long
OutIYed it- usefulness.
These matter. wIi likely be brought
90 thc attention 1f the C1mmiitae az an
earl. day, by fnr Chief who ID. rr.r.,r.t