The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-03
FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY IN
SPECTOR w. III. JOHNSON.
The City VIII Have to Expend $780,
900 to Better Its Service-Mu-
nicipal Affairs.

report covering the needs of the In
dtanapolis Fire Department and recommen-
ds. tions for the same has been made to the
National Board of Fire Underwriters in
New York by w. H. Johnson, who recently
inspected the department in this city for
that board. The report has been approved
by the underwriters. The question of rails
ing the insurance rates in this city will
largely depend upon the action the city
officials take on the report
The report of Mr. Johnson shows the in
adequateness of the fire department. and
should his recommendations be carried out
il will mean an expenditure of about
100000. First of all the inspector recon-
mends that a central fire station be erected
in the vicinity of Kentucky avenue and
Maryland street, at which shall be kept a
first-class steam fire engine and hose wag-
on, an aerial truck, with eighty-five-foot
extension, supplied with ordinary ladders
and also a utility supply wagon. For this
house he says a captain, engineer, stoker,
two drivers four pipemen and four horses
would be needed for the steamer company;
a captain, driver, five laddermen and two
horses for the aerial truck company. and a
driver, reserve fireman and two horses for
the utility supply wagon.
For the companies answering calls in the
business districts he recommends addi-
tional firemen to the working forces, and a
new company and station will be necessary
at Twenty-fourth and Ash streets, with a
wagon, hose, captain, driver, three pipe
men and two horses. In the northwestern
part of the city he recommends a company
at Cerealinetown, with a wagon, hose, cap
tain, driver, three pipemen and two horses.
He says another new company is needed
at Morris and West streets, with serv-
ice hook and ladder truck, fully equipped
and captain, driver, tillerman, laddermen
and horses. At the No. Is hose wagon sta
ton he recommends an additional fire en-
CINE company with such additional men as
are necessary. AT No. engine station he
says a service hook and ladder truck with
a driver and two horses should be MAIN
tanned.
POOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
In regard to the fire alarm system he
said there should be some needed improve
ments so that it would be more reliable
First-class alarm boxes should replace de-
fective boxes and storage batteries and
modern improvements introduced. In the
business portion of the city. he says, there
should be more cistern reservoirs to con-
tain at least 200 barrels of water and
connected with water mains. The four
and six-inch water mains in the central
part of the city should be replaced with
larger mains and additional fire hydrants
with steamer connection and outlets and
six-inch feeder pipes from MAINS should be
located at intersections of the principal
downtown streets. He says this would
shorten the lines of hose and bring bet
ter results at the MOBILES. In regard to
the protection of business houses the re-
port recommends protective shutters for
windows and the abandonment of iron bars
as they are hindrance to the firemen.
Inspector Johnson further says inclosed
bridges across alleys and narrow streets
should be prohibited
Chief Barrett says the report of INSPECTOR
Johnson meets with his approval, as the
needs of the department are all set out He
says the Board of Safety is now looking
for sites for the new engine houses and ne
gotiating with fire alarm companies for
the Improvement of the fire alarm system
In regard TO the report, City Controller
Johnson said last night that it seemed to
be satisfactory, but could not say whether
all the improvements recommended i'm the
report could be made. A meeting of the
city officials and the finance committee of
the City Council will be called shortly
when the situation will be fully considered.
One of the prominent Republican members
OF the Council was asked last night what
ordinance to make the improvements He
said he would be in favor of it and he
believed the other members of the Council
would also vote for il providing the ordi-
nance stated explicitly just what the
money was TO be used for, so that the city
could not use the funds for other purposes
II is estimated that with the proposed i'm
provements at the City Hospital and in
the fire department. bond issue of $50, 00O
will be necessary, and then it is argued
that all of the improvements recommended
by Inspector Johnson cannot be made.