The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-06-23
TO TRAIN 5IREMEN
Commissioner 1rri0kson's
Plan for Increasing the De-
partment's Efficiency.
RESTS WITH FINANCE BOARD
If Appropriation Is Made
School Will Be Es-
tablished.

The Fire Commissioners are ever on the
alert to improve the efficiency of the fire
fighting force generally, and it is only ow-
ing TO the lack of funds that the depart
meat is not put on a par with the life
savers of other larger municipalities. The
Commissioners hope that the Board OF
Finance will have no special cause to
chop off any of the amount the FIRE
Commissioners have asked for to carry
them through the ensuing year. Every
cent asked for is essential to the perfect
development of the department.
The Commissioners have under consid-
Grafton divers plans for improving the
department in several respects, and on
various points wnlch they deem absolute
ly essential inasmuch as the city is rap
idly increasing in population and in the
number of large structures. The Board
OF Fire Commissioners became known
for its splendid work soon after John
Erickson was appointed by Mayor Hoos
Not only the firemen admit this, but all
who have at one time or another had
any experience with the fre-fghting
forces Commissioner Erickson has done
yAore to build up the department, with
the able aid of his fellow Commissioners,
than the majority of the people imagined
The splendid showing of the department
demonstrates the accuracy of these state
Tlents, and today the Board is consider
ing a plan for the training of every man
in the department.
The object of the Commissioners, and,
by the way, it was Commissioner Errick-
sons suggestion, is to drill the men in the
science of ladder scaling with ladders
such as are used in New York, and to
have the life-nets handled with skill.
Some time ago the Commissioners talked
of the plan. but owing to the scarcity of
funds the plans were kept in abeyance.
Now, however. there is every likelihood
of their being consummated.
The establishment of a training school
is yaited with no small degree of in
terest by the fremen. They are anxious
to have the Fire Board provide quarters
for the school, and the sooner the better
If the appropriation of the Board is
agreed to by the Finance Board, there IS
no doubt that the school will be estab-s
lished Immediately.
There stands, on Wayne street, nearly
opposite No School, an old firehouse
which was. at one time, used by the
pupils of No. School 1t is now the
supply quarters of the department. Here
ganized. A tower will be built and on
this the scaling ladders will be used to
good advantage. Dummies will be used
in the life saving net exercises and the
school will be a permanent institution of
the department.
Commissioner Erickson in discussing the
plans with reporter, showed his en-
thusiasm over the bright prospect of Sc
z,.-s~c- 49, -oLooi for 7ich ba has worked
since he became Commissioner.
seThe plans have been uppermost in our
minds for long time,' said he, "but the
funds with which to perfect the idea were
not on hand. This training school system
is indeed a wonderful and very beneficial
institution. Take the department of New
York for instance with its magnificent
force Of men. There the system has been
in practice for years and there is not a
finer drilled body of men on the globe.
eve feel the necessity of school to
break in our men and to teach all the
manner of using scaling ladders and nets.
These are very useful at fires where big
buildings are to be entered. The city is
increasing it's number of large structures
and the sooner the school is put into
operation the better for all concerned"
It is also the intention of the Commits
sioners to secure for the city an additional
hook and ladder company for downtown.
No. is the only one in the lower district
and two are badly needed. The new one
when secured will be put in the old quar-
ters on Wayne street. When this engine
mouse is reopened for use, lot will prob
ably be secured for the location of a sup
ply station.
The Commissioners are uncertain as to
how soon these plans may be put into
practice, but all hope that the time is not
far distant. Commissioner Erickson ex-
pressed himself as favoring the addition
of other new steamers such as those re-
Gently sent to Nos. and 10 companies.
These engines are the finest in the coun-
try and have given the best of satisfaction
to the entire department.