The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1902-04-03
THE BELFAST FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Plans Suggested for it's Reorganization
Interviews with Citizens on the Subject.

SPected the apparatus of the Department
and made himself familiar with the water
system, including the size of the mains,
location of the hydrants, etc, and has out
lined plan for improving our ire-fghting
facilities. His plan calls for an outlay the
first year of S1,2O0above the usual appropri-
alton of 5000 available for general expenses
of the Department. This would provide
for buying and equipping pair of good
horses, remodeling the rooms, aid buying
such appliances as he considers necessary
to insure good, quick working department.
lie would have stalls in the engine room
with proper arrangements for venti-
lation and cleanliness. The horses would
be used in the Street Department in the
day time, within limited distance of the
city buildings, and their harnesses so ar
ranged that they could be instantly detached
from their load and hurried into fire service
at the sound of the alarm He would have
four men sleep at the rooms, ready to re-
spond instantly to night calls. This could be
done with little expense to the city, by Civ
ing to single men, " hO would otherwise hire
their sleeping rooms, the use of the rooms in
exchange for their services as call men,
lie would change the present system, by
which each man knows but one part of the
work and is expected to contne himself to
that, and would have every man drilled in
pipe, hydrant, ladder and general hose
work. He would have wagon on which
he would load 400 feet of hose, the coats,
boots, fire eXtinguishers, axes, spanners,
and three light ladders, which would be
first taken to the fire. The heavier ladder
truck and Bangor extension would not be
taken out unless needed. His alarm system
has been briefly outlined in The Journal,
and is to divide the city into four or more
districts with alarm boxes at convenient
points. The call would be made automati-
cally on a steam whistle, the number of the
box shown in the engineers room in
mill or factory, and the engineer would
sound the proper signal There are many
other lesser details which are explained
fully in his report, but this gives a good
idea OF the plan proposed
Monday Mr.. Mackenzle and Journal
representative made canvass of the bust
ness men of the city, and got the opinions
of all who We're found at the time of the
call Mr.. Mackenzie stated the outline of
his plan and asked each man to state his
views as to the advisability of making the
changes Suggested The list docs NOT in
" '''' 'oe' iio' III
eluae all the business and professional men
OF the city, as some We're not in when the
call was made, but enough were seen to
give an idea Of the general sentiment.
Following are the replies of the different
men who were seen.
Ex- Mayor +. F. Dunton-lt seems to be
good idea.
VIM, II, Quimby-Always have been in
favor OF the city owning a team, and a rock
crusher. We cannot do it without some ex-
pense. ] think the change would be for the
interest of the city.
Edmund Nllson-Believe the department
should be brought up to date.
Frank q. Mixer am certainly in favor
OF It,
Fred I. Chase-lt has been my idea for
some time.
Geo. r. Doak-l think you are right. l
have been on the Fire Department in other
places and know that the first few minutes
III flghtIng fire are important.
EX-Mayor NJ. p, Woodcock-I will agree
not to object to Whatever the City Council
decides on.
+. A. Follett-lt would be a great i'm
proVement. am with you.
I. ii. Crosby should be in favor of it.
l.. L. Gentnel-Think it is a good idea, if
the expense isn't too big
c. \. Black-Am willing to leave it to the
City Government and the Chief Engineer.
Geo. c. Trussell-Think it is Just what
we need.
Ex-Mayor c. O. Poor Should like to see
an efficient Fire Department, such as in the
Judgment of the Fire Committee and City
Council is warranted.
f. S. Pitcher-Iave advocated owning
horses. A change seems necessary.
II. W. Clark-Think it would be good
plan.
Augustine Cohurn-Think it would be
Just the thing, sure
John 7. Owen-Put ME down as in favor
of it.
James S. Hartmann am willing the
City Government shall decide it.
Samuel Adams-Think it d good idea,
Charles O'Connell- Would like to see a
good, quick working Fire Department.
G. G. Pierce-Prefer to leave it to the
City Government.
A. +. Riggs have always thought the
city should own horses and the Department
put in good condition
F. A. Riggs-Good thing. ! think the city
should own horses.
Fred Timm-Shoud think il a good thing.
AlonZo Dutch-Think it right to improve
the Department, and the increase in taxes
would be hardly noticed
Alderman /. T. Shales-We want a
good Fire Department., even at an increased