The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-01
Deficiencies of the City Fire
Service Pointed Out.
Chief Wilmarth Discusses Rec
concentrations of an Expert.
NEW TRUCK NEEDED.
Firemen Would Be Badly Handi-
capped at Serious Blaze.
Mayor Drew Says City Must
Wait Till Next Year.


William H. Johnson, general inspector
of fire departments for the National
Board Of Fire Underwriters, inspected
the Topeka fire department during
March.
Mr.. johnson was for many years chief
of the fire department of Philadelphia,
and is regarded as an able man in the
position he occupies After a careful
inspection he pronounced the Topeka
department to be IAN active and eff
cient body of well disciplined frenlen-''
He said, howere, that 1.-The effective
force of firemen and apparatus is en-
tirely inadequate for the suitable pro-
lection Of the city. Notwithstanding
this deficiency, the department has done
efficient work under the present able
management. Serious fires, however,
would severely tax the present limited
faculties OF the fire department He
made several recommendations of
measures which would improve the
service.
Chief Wilmarth, Of the fire depart
ment, realizes that it requires a large
outlay of money to secure and maintain
the needed improvements. He has, with
the faithful work of those under him,
made the department efficient with its
equipment. The department has ranked
United States, and last year the eff
cheney of the department was rated 100
per cent, or perfect That the truck
service is inadequate to the demands
of the city is admitted by all For sew
eral years the chief has advocated the
purchase of a 75-foot aerial ladder
truck to be used in the business and
manufacturing districts. The point to
be overcome is the fact that at present
there is no place to station such a
truck Ample provision has been made
in the new department headquarters
on East Seventh street for such a truck
and the men necessary to handle it.
Such a truck would not be used in the
residence districts and would not be
suitable for long runs. The present
truck at station No. 3 on jefferson
street is 80 years old and a rickety af-
fair. Another is needed to serve N
| place of the one now in use ard in
| addition to the proposed aerial truck.
| The city should not depend on one
| truck. If one truck were ever so good
| it is liable to accidents, and then the
department would be handicapped for
want of ladders. The present truck
has to be taken out Of service repeat
eddy for repairs.
In speaking of the report made by
said:
.aThe report in general is good. as it
! advocates the strengthening of the de-
/ partment. Some local changes would
/ De necessary MI JOuA1SO14 4EPOA
| shows the Topeka. department to be
good and effective, but not as strong
/ as it should be. No one realizes that
as well as the members of the depart
ment, but improvements mean addi-
| tional expense. We have wide streets,
/ and the city is not compactly built, but
there are blocks where the surround
| ings are such that if a fire got in these
! localities the strength Of the depart
! ment would be inadequate. Such bres
would overtax our strength and ca
1 pacity. He speaks of the fact that the
| present ladder truck is wholly INSULT
| cient to the needs. The truck is not
I'D to date and besides one truck is
not sufficient. A light weight city truck
| is needed to take the place of the pres
ent one and a 75-foot aerial ladder truck
| is needed in reaching high floors and
roofs. The inspector also realizes that
| the department has too much territory
/ to cover from four stations"
| Mayor Drew received a copy of the
| report and also a letter, which stated
| that the various suggestions ARE rec
said: 81 think we need a new hook and
! ladder truck, but we cannot buy more
| than one apparatus year, and W nave
! bought a new chemical engine this year
for the North Topeka station We
must wait until next year for new
| truck The council has tried for years
| to have the water mains exteaoeo-
| When they are extended another sta
/ ton VIII De uC6QSO w = hAOW NAAehN Il
| wanted The truck breaks down very
| often and it costs a good deal for re-
I pairs. Mr.. Johnson said while here that
/ he had found no city of the size of To
| peka with a better fire service"
Following are the recommendations
| made by Mr.. Johnson:
IAN additional fire company, fully
| equipped with hose wagon, 1900 feet OF
fire hose, permanently employed driver
| and horses, should be located at vicinity
u Of North Kansas avenue and bridge
! This company could quickly reinforce
for effective service in the business and
manufacturing sections, also the NORTH
| Topeka district.
"a new hook and ladder truck should
| replace the present defective apparatus
| also an aerial ladder truck be obtained
with 75-foot extension ladder, to enable
firemen to reach upper floors of highesi
| buildings.
'Shut-off nozzles should be obtained
| the damage by water at fires.
water mains of not less than eight
inch diameter should be extended, Will
attached fire hydrants, through tbs
built-up and improved southeast and
present mains are but six inches IL
/ diameter.
Mains of larger diameter should b'
extended through the north section OF
the First ward, so as to reinforce or re
place the present inadequate pipe II
that district"
Remarkable Cure of Rheumatism