The herald., 1895-01-01
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
EXCELLENT WORK DONE DURING
THE PAST YEAR.
Numerous Improvements Contemplated
in the Enlargement of Force and o.
Apparatus.

The present paid FIRE department was
organized in 1886 by Chief Walter S.
Moore. and consisted of two steam en-
CINE companies, one hook and ladder
company and the Park Hose company.
Since thai time the service has been in
creased by the purchase of additional
apparatus at various times so that at
present the city has eight steam engine
companies, two chemical engine COM
panies and an additional hose company
on the east side of the river, and the old
hook and ladder houses and apparatus
have been fitted up with all the latest
Improvements and devices which add to
quick responses in case OF alarms and
quicker and better work at a fire.
The council and fire commissioners
have contracted with the Champion
Chemical Engine Manufacturing com.
pany OF Chicago for three combination
chemical hose wagons and engines of
the latest improved pattern that will
carry 1000 feet of fire hose and chem
ical tank OF 80 gallons, and the wagons
will have a permanent crew of three
men. and will be located in the First,
Fourth and Sixth wards and give pro-
lection to those fast growing localities.
The department ia governed and con-
trolled by board of fire commissioners,
consisting of Mayor Rowan. ex-officio
chairman of the board; ex-Volunteer
Chief J. kuhrts, who has been identi.
fed with the department for over q
quarter of century; George P. Nc
Lain, for number of years engineer OF
36's engine company, in the volunteer
days; W. ]. Brodrick, capitalist and in
surance manager, and R. E. Wirshing,
large property owner and ex. councilman.
these gentlemen being elected by
the council and of different political
faith, 80 that the commission is pract-
cally non-psrtisan. They have devoted
much time and attention to their duties
and have conscientiously and intelli-
gently carried out the affairs of the de-
partment.
The chief of the department., Dan
Moriarty, is an old-time fireman. having
served his time in the volunteer DEPART
ments of Virginia City, New, and Tomb.
stone. Ariz., in their palmy days, and
for the last IL years q resident OF this
city and connected with the volunteer
and paid departments. He was assistant
under Chief Moore, and has served as
chief and assistant chief in previous
administrations. NJ. Mcmahon is as
sistant under him.
Chief Moriorty has recommended the
purchase of elarge size, tirst-class aerial
truck, to be located not further south
than Fifth street.
INTENDED IMPROVEMENTS.
The erection of the manysstory and
high buildings in the business portion
OF our city makes the establishment OF
the hook and ladder company absolutely
necessary, and he has suggested the
division OF the city into fire districts and
appointing assistant engineers in charge
OF the same. The city covers an area of
thirty-six square miles, and demands
the quick arrival of the chief or assist
ant to handle the fire and obtain intelli-
gent fire extinguishment with as little
loss to property as possible. In all large
cities having first-clsss service each
three engine companies, one truck and
one chemical company constitute dis
trict and is under the immediate super.
vision of district or assistant chief.
The city council has under consldera-
ton the matter of increase OF pay for
etsntislly increased. The men are on
duty twenty-four hours of the seven
days OF the fifty~two weeks OF the year,
and are the least paid of any OF the city
employees and their duties the most con.
fning and dangerous.
The city is well supplied with water
in the business portion and in much of
the residence part. The company has
laid many milee OF pipe and
erected hydrants in the various wards,
go that now we have more than 900 fire
hydrsnts.
There are about 10000 feet of good,
servicable fire hose.
The fire alarm system has been en-.
tirely refitted and overhauled: the old
automatic repeater of four circuits taken
out and new 10-oircult Gamewell COM
pany repeater put in, and % additional
boxes, made by the same company.
This branch Of the service is under the
able and intelligent supervision of M. P.
Thye, city electrician, the entire plant
costing in the neighborhood of 500, 900.
Electrician Thye wants 80 more boxes to
make the plant cover the necessities.
The fire alarm system was never in
better shape.
During the last year the department
has responded to 208 alarms, and the
city has had no serious confagration.
The horses, engines. apparatus and
other property of the department APP
proximate value of $125.000 invested.