Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-14

will be used by the Fire-Alarm Depart
ment for the storage Of their vehicles
and horses. The first floor will be grano-
lithc, costing $500. and VIII be divided
into two portions-that on the west side
being used for the hook-and-iadder, ana
that on the east for the accommodation
Of the steam and chemical engines, hose
wagon. and Chiefs buggy.
The second floor will be divided up
along the west side and In the rear into
three large sleepng-rooms, a toilet-room
sfore-room and the Chiefs office i'm the
front, with 'starcases In the 'front.' ana
rear. The remaining portion OF this moor
will be kept as, a clear story over the
engine-room below, with galleries running
across the front and along the west SIDE
to the rear.
The third story IL left open for use as
hall, and is to be so arranged that at
any future time II can be divided up. IL
will be reached by a staircase In the rear,
and provisions have been made for an
eevator-shaft In the front part of the
building, which can be added at any time.
and which. may be used temporarily as a
hose-tower The toilet and bathrooms
! on the second floor Will be handsomely
fitted up. and a new outfit OF furniture. in
keeping with the elegance Of the building.
will be added 1t is proposed to use the
top uhird) floor for the present as a
dr!ll-room and general rerlir-shop.
The tower will be provided with an
alarm-bell that is to be sounded and regu-
lated by the Fire-Alarm Department in
the City Hail.
IL is expected that the building will BE-
completed by October. but al the earliest
possible moment machines VIII be rein
stated ready for the fire season. which.
it is said usually starts up in the cool
weather. The Fire Commissioners fully
expect to pay for the building upon COM
pletion. and are retrenching 10 that end.
but there are so many possibilities In the
fire business that in the event OF extraor-
binary mishaps they have arranged very
liberal terms with the contractor, for I'M
der no circumstances will they ask the
Council for help, since they are pledged TO
this improvement out of their expense APP
proprftion.
In 1886 the board will consider the ques-
ton of bell ringing. and Will endeavor 10
| simplify IL so that all can understand the
alarms. and this will dispense with the
present confused system. They viii also
make some definite change at the quarters
Of No. Engine Company, located at
Brook avenue, for the greater comfort of
| that excellent company. Further, they are
considering the question of chemical
engine on Church Hin and in the western
section OF the city.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
BY calculation this board has expended
| In seven years $4,000 for buildings, ma
chinery, horses. and hose. and at their
| Inauguration they found six engines. two
| trucks, and two hos, companies. while
| the present equipment consists OF eight
engines, three trucks, and one 60-gallon
| double-tank chemical engine, making in
| all twelve companies.
This chemical engine, which cost 81. 200,
has done heroic work, and Will easily save
It's cost at any fire where much valuable
stock Is In danger 1t carries three perma-
nent men.
Tnis board. In their intense interest for
a more efficient service. have transferred
| 81, 800 from their account to the Commit
tee on Water for the enlargement or the
plug outlets 10 better the supply for the
fire engines.
Light new hose wagons have been built,
substituting the old-fa shioned two-wheel-
ers. -Four new engines OF the latest type
have been added to the equipment and the
rest rebuilt and put In perfect condition,
while by simple process they carry con-
stantly sufficient steam to work at once
without any loss OF time.
Three thousand feet Of hose Is added.
generally. each year. and while at every
fire complaint Is made Of bursting hose.
that Is almost always due TO the heavy
machines running over the lines. and the
hose Is never used when the Chief En-
gineer thinks It inefiicient.
Forty-odd horses have replaced the
stock that was found on hand. and while
the market has been picked for young and
suitable animals. tn. cost OF same has
not averaged $50 each. and every horse
that shows any defect Is promptly ex-
changed.
Tne Fire Board have bent every energy
towards selecting the personnel OF the
men who fight the fires, and while the
rules are rigid, and obedience strictly