New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-09
PREPARED FOR FIRE.
R4NDALL'S CONFIDENT.
Escapes asked for House of Refuge
-WeU Drilled Inmates.


II the House OF Refuge on RandaIl's Island,
reveals any possible weak point in the armor of
its fire precautions and facilities. the weakness
apparently lies not much in the safeguards
to protect its inmates as to protect the officers
and matrons themselves.
In the officers and matrons quarters. which
building. the complete absence OF fire escapes is
not atoned for by the presence of only one exit
in each case. This exit. however. could scarcely
be better than it is-one OF the slate and iron
corridors that are feature Of the Refuge. That
no possible precaution shall be neglected, how
ever, Superintendent Omar V. Sage yesterday,
in view Of the Chicago theatre holocaust wrote
the Department of Charities recommending the
erection OF two fire escapes, one attached to the
male officers quarters and another to the a
irons quarters. asking in the meanwhile for iron
staples and one-inch rope In case of an emer-
gency at these points.
An investigation of the entire fire arrange
ments on Randalls Island by a Tribune
porter yesterday went to show that resources IN
care Of fire which at the island hospital in
fants' hospital and schools under Superintend-
ent Mrs. NJ, c. Dunphy were unexceptionable.
reached high standard In the House of Ref
uge. under Superintendent Gage.
Unlike the western division Of Wards Island.
the condition of which was told in yesterdays
Tribune. both divisions Of Randalrs have two
f1renen specially detailed. good and abundant
hose, modern fire engine periodically tested
and inspected and other facilities and protec-
tons.
By the Superintendent Of the House OF Ref
uge. however, the engine house is regarded as
q rather secondary portion OF his fire fighting
apparatus. for the especially adapted fire pre-
cautions and contrivances in the Refuge include
four water tanks. each containing a uniform
quantity of water-some 2S0O0 galons-whch
never varies however much may be withdrawn
A well trained volunteer fire brigade, some fifty
strong; two trebly freproof slate and iron stair
ways in each of the fourteen boys and girls
dormitories. and stand pipes and hose in every
dormitOry connected with the tanks, make pos
sible an almost instantaneous flushing of any
portion Of the Refuge
In both divisions the general local fire signal
is a long ear-splitting blast, followed by three
snort ones from a specially constructed siren,
called the Great Whistle" whose sound it Is
asserted. on a clear day can be heard for a
distance Of thirty miles. The ffty-two boys OF
the First Division IN the House Of Refuge who
are chartered on the east side of the first hall
are the institutions fire brigade, commanded By
the military instructor. They take part in a
practical fire drill at least once week
periodic fire alarm test is also given to the en-
tire body OF the inmates. The fact that in each
dormitory, throughout the night an officer is
stationed on a dais also tends to lessen the
chance Of any possible surprise by fire in this
direction. Instant communication between the
superintendents office and officers who may be
scattered throughout the Refuge is also estab-
lished by means Of telephone and electric call
bells.
Outside the buildings are several fresh water
hydrants. in addition TO one with salt water
pressure, invaluable not only because OF its in
creased pressure. but because II means that at
least one outside pipe viii be slow TO freeze
The regular ireboat alarm is also available In
case of emergency.
In Mrs. Dunphy's division Of the island which
includes the Infants Hospital. Children's Hos
pital. North and South Hospitals. Reception
Building. Eye and Medical and Surgical pa
vilions. and the School for the Feeble Minded
with total present census OF about twelve
hundred, against nine hundred in the House Of
Refuge, the extra precautions If relatively prim-
tive. are generally unobjectionable Here
again the siren is sounded as the general alarm
communication with the scattered officers is es-
tabbshed only by telephone, and the local alarm
in individual buildings is sounded by tolling q
hand gong.
Any advantage which this division may enjoy
over the House OF Refuge in a number of all
iron escapes is discounted by the fact that the
inner stairways are in many cases Of wood.
Here any danger which might exist from the
use Of furnace ranges is avoided by the exclu-
siVe employment of steam heat.
AS in the House of Refuge. there are two fire
men, who drill monthly with an up to date en-
gine reels Of good hose and hook and ladder
Here. also. in addition to periodic examinations
by Fire Department inspector, lectures are
given TO the nurses on fire precautions and ac-
ton in case Of fire breaking out. Here the fire
force is about thirty strong, composed entirely
of employees. who drill three or four times a
month. Naturally, its efficiency rests on o.
somewhat different plane from that of the IRE
brigade OF the House of Refuge.
The buildings Of both divisions, with the ex-
ception of smaller pavilions are constructed
mainly Of stone or brick yellow pine. however
being largely used In the flooring.
In the case OF fire in either division the slI-
perintendents cooperate. In Mrs. Dunphy's di-
vision there is a periodic fire alarm test The
nurses are constantly instructed how to allay
panic among their charges in case OF fire and the
charges how TO dress and descend quickly and
quietly IN any serious emergency.