The weekly tribune., 1894-02-09
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
A Full Description of All Its Stations
Sub-StatiOns. Members. and
Property.
Shows How Great Falls Snrpasses
All Other Cities of the State
in Fire Prevention.

Among the first questions asked by
What fire protection have you got? The
reason is palpable, they can not only
estimate the rate of insurance they will
have to pay but also the amount of
danger they are liable to incur from fire
in adjacent buildings Present indica-
| tions point to Il great deal Of building in
Great Falls this coming summer, and
/ this question will be often asked 1t is
therefore, with this view that the fol-
lowing description has been complied:
! The fire department at Great Falls is
beyond question the most complete and
efficient in tie state Since the inaugu-
ration Of the Great Falls water works,
five years ago, not one building has been
| burnt down inside the fire limits, or any
place elsewhere within reach of the
water system. This speaks volumes, not
only for the abundance of the water
supply, but also for the efficiency of the
fire department being equal to any emer-
gency.
Water supply.
The water supply is derived from the
city water works, which are situated on
the banks of the Missouri little above
the mouth of Sun river. The system
used is the Holly, with over twenty
miles Of mains laid on the streets and
avenues. There are over 80 double
nozzle fire hydrants located where they
hp DF pnlf Tho ,r1ip
water pressure is 50 pounds, but in case
of alarm of fire, by electrical communi-
cation it is at once raised to 100 and l25
pounds to the square inch.
Central Fire Station.
This. the headquarters of the lire de-
partment occupies handsome two
story brick building on First avenue
south between Third and Fourth streets.
The salaried branch of the department
is stationed here. and consists Of
Chief-James Burns
Assistant chief-Sam French
Drver-Sherman Burger.
Watchman-W. NJ. johnson.
Fireman -. j. Arthur.
Fireman-F. II. Jones.
These men have dormatory furnish |
ed them in the building. and have their |
meals within ninety feet Of the place |
Back of the main room are stabbed !
superb trained team of horses. used for
the hose wagon, which is of the pres
ton" make, conceded to be the best.
This bose wagon carries 1000 feet of |
hose, with a reserve of 5000 feet dis
tributed among sub-stations. All the
necessary appurtenances pertaining to
a central fire station are here in an
abundance.
In tower annexed to the north side
Of the building is hung an alarm bell
2,2OO pounds. the toIing of
which has been heard at distance of
twelve miles east Of the city BY ar
made by the city authorities.
the bell marks the standard meridian
time by tolling twelve times.
Tne fire alarm system connecting with
his central station is the "Gamewel."
md there are ten of these alarm boxes
placed in the most acceptable sites con
'enient to the most denscly populated
parts Of the city. This "Gamevcl" sys-
cn of alarm, strikes the tire bell at the
central station. at the same time by
electrical indication giving locality Of
he fire.
In addition to this there are eight
niles of fire alarm electric wire IN use.
and by arrangement with the Rocky
Telephone company instantan-
'ouS connection is made with all parts
# the city.
Sub-Stations.
These eub-stations are handled by
tiremen, each place having one
lose cart. 800 feet of hose, and ten fire.
men. The sub-stations are four in
lumber as follows: North side, South
ide, West side, and No. > Hose company
Who have their station annexed to the
central one No ] Hook and Ladder
ompany are also attached to central
tation. There is also a complete sub
tation at the Boston Il Great Falls ad-
ition, similarly equipped to those al
eady mentioned.
Insurance.
The total amount OF insurance carried
n the city amounts in the millions.
here is Board of Underwriters
organized, who examine INTO
be origin of every fire be it ever SO
mall, The buildings insured are sub
acted to periodical inspection by regu-
ar accredited agents. The city ordin-
nee in relation to prevention OF fire are
lso regularly enforced by proper Off
ere.
In conclusion, it might be stated that
he fire department is one of the institu-
ions of which Great Falls is Justly
roud. The alacrity shown in response
o an alarm, and the unhagging energy
hown in conquering the destroying
lement, are matters well-known to our
wn citizens. 1t would be only just to
tate, that the department, together with
is facilities for working, is not equalled
lsewhere in Montana.