Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-31
PROTECT OUR HOMES.
RICHMOND FIRE Department
MAKES 4 SPLENDID RECORD.
REVIEW OF The YEARS WORK.
Good Number of Alarms, But the
Few CnsunitieS-splendid Service
of Fire Alarm and Police Patrol.

The Richmond Fire Department OF
which every citizen IS Justly proud, has
for the past year maintained It's high
standard, and IS now more efficient than
ever before. It's record for the last
twelve months is something phenomenal.
While all over tho country the fire losses
of 1893 exceed those OF any previous
year, yet here in Richmond, while we
had Isl alarms OF FIRE, and many Of the
fires babe fair TO DO very serious, yet
with our efficient and well equipped de-
partmout they were checked, except in
a few instances, before the flame zecould
get much Roadway. The total loss from
fire during 1870 viii not exceed $1,000
This is considered remarkable, as the
total number OF alarms responded % wis
about 10 per cent. more than In 1888, and
the total loss Is about ~ per cent. less
This small loss IS due 90 the fact that
tho Richmond department loses no time
la getting 90 hres, and then. too the Off
GERS are most careful in watching locall-
ties and buildings whore Ere is liable TO
occur, ordering all trash and other IN
fiammabie matter removed.
THE EFFICIENT DEPARTMENT.
The DEPARTMENT consists of one chief
engineer. one assistant engineer one sec
rotary, twelve captains, 5iXty-three per
manent meu. and clghty-siX runners ana
substitutes. who are under The control OK
the Board OK Fire Commissioner WAicn
is composed of the following gentlemen.
John H. Irischk0ln president; @. W.
Taylor. yice-president. and Messrs. j.. =.
Jenkins. Joseph j. Levy. James X. sAep-
pard. and Charles F. Taylor.
They have maintained 10 high stand
ara the equipment OF AN KINDS. besides
purchasing a lot ON east Main street and
erecting The most modern engne-house
An town at O cost Of over $500 This
house win be occupied by Engine Com
pany 40. .. in a feW days. ana their old
quarters. which are directly opposite the
new house. VIII be retained and equipped
as a house Of which The department
has been sadly in need. Tho commls-
sioners have also purchased beVeral thou-
sand feet of FIRE hose. and replaced a
number Of old ana wornout horses, ana
will from all sources, return 70 the Clty
Treasury q very neat and credilaDie sum
Of money
IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE.
There are many additions and Improve
ments planned Tor the new year. among
them. tho establishment OF ccmDina-
ton hoss-Wag0n and chemical engine az
tho headquarters building. This Us most
useful piece Of apparatus. and VIII take
the place OK the chemical engine, also
tho h0se-wag0n Of Engine Company no
g. II viii only be a matter or httle
tlmo before on Of the companies VIII DC
equipped with similar apparatus. Ihere
VIII also. very probably, DO some mate
rial improvements ia the hre-aiarm sys-
TEN. and the various houses VIII be re-
modelled and many other minor I'M
PROPONENTS made.
THE reelection Of the members Of the
department. VIII take place on the ISL
of univ 1870 and 81 would be or the
greatest benefit 90 the city IL all members
III this imDOrtaut branch 0f the city
service could DO made stationmen. AN
cities of the Size OK Richmond have a
permanent. or station, department. and
I'm this respect Only IS our department
behind the times.
The commissioners meet twice a month,
and in eleven years they have not failed
10 have a quorum.
The Fire-Aiarm Department.
This department. as previously stated, Is
under tho control OF tho bod4u OK iie
Commissioners, and Is well managed by
SUPERINTENDENT William III. Thompson,
with the following corps Of employees: T.
G. Randolph, c. j. Gullett III. Y. Taylor
and /. a. Umlauf. each OK whom alter
mates as operator. Tha work OF these
employees has proved more than sals-
factory 20 the board showing as It does
that they are fully capable 20 take charge
OF the important and delicate duties IN
trusted 20 them.
The office, one OF the finest 10 the build
Ing Is always open. and is visited dahy
by hundreds Of persons, who praise very
highly the beauty Of the machinery anc
appointments. One OF the employees re-
ports a. every fre for the purpose OF re
moving, as far as possible. the danger Of
live wires, etc. The system comprise.
twenty-five sets OF telephone instru-
ments-ono IN each engine and oaicer':
house: lG3 hre-alarm Stations, seventy
seven OF which are private; one repeating
stAl-alarm bcx. 80 niles OF aerial wires
thirty-hve electro mechanical gongs, one
set OF testing instruments. two vol
metres. two ampere metres. two SIX
circuit mountaineering repeaters. one
elght-clrcuit local repeater, ten auto
matte trips for releasing the horses. nin'
three-number indicators; eleven larg'
bells. weighing from so 20 1900 pounds
ono ! so and one l.l00-pound bells work
- from. tha 0fiCe With G..