The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-10-26
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

As soon as the street ear strike is
settled Director Of Public Safety Worm
ser and Chief l'crber are going 10 put
into operation a plan which they have
been considering for some time ana
which they feel will greatly lessen the
danger of fire in this city.
One permanent man from each dis
trict is to be detailed each month to
make II thorough inspection of all hy-
drants to see that they are not frozen
and are in proper condition and also
to make frequent examination of all
large buildings in his district to see
that rubbish and waste is not allowed
to accumulate. His duties for the
month that he is serving are to be
strictly confined to this work and he
is TO he held responsible if he is neg
ligent of his duty.
He will be expected to order all rub
bish such as straw, hay, and other
packing material removed If found in
| any store or basement and in case
| the owner refuse to remove ii, to report
| the facts to the director of public
| safety. In case he discovers Il frozen
| hydrant, it will be his duty to secure
assistance and thaW it out Immediate
| ly.
1t is also the intention of Chief Fer
| ber to have the firemen in each district
become thoroughly familiar with the
| interior construction of all large build
| ings so that in case of a fire they may
| know just where To go when a build
| ing is entered in case of fire With
| this end in view the iiremen will be
| taken through the buildings in their
| districts under the guidance Of their
superior officers.
y
Director Wormser is going to ask
councils in his estimate for next year
| for sufficient money to pay the salaries
| of five new engineers, one for each of
| the steamers. He believes that the
| engineers should be permanent fire
| men instead of call men as at present,
| feeling that the engines require the
| constant care and attention of an eX-
| perienced man. He proposes to ask
for an appropriation of $4,000 or suf-
ticient to pay each man $50 Il month.
| I"
The amount of serviceable hose in the
| fire department at present according
| TO the recent report presented by Di-
| rector Wormscr to the board of under
writer's is $500 feet. This is classed rs
| serviceable but this does not nccessar-
| lily mean that it is all in first class con-
| dition. There is Il broad gulf between
| "irst-clasS" and "SerViceablc' Sew
| eral thousand feet of new hose Will
be asked for and if it is purchased
| it will be all first class rubber hose
ana no other kind, Director WormScr
having decided that 1t is not the best
policy to purchase cotton or part cotton
| hose
| ss
| \ new fire alarm chart giving the
| changes in the boxes recently made
| by Chief Ferbcr and the new system ot
| sounding calls for assistance uS well
| the new numbers of the fire companies
| is being prepared and viii be ready fol
distribution in a few days,
|
| Chief Fcrber since he assumed con-
troll of the department several months
ago has not had one fire of any consc-
| puencc To cope with. Il have Vet tc
| see water used ou II fire" said hc thc
other day. "a few slight blazcs which
We're easily cNtingushod with chcml.
Gals have been all that have occurred
since | assumed charge, Let MS hope
that this condition Of affairs will con,
| tlnuC."