The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-17
To FIGHT FIRE.
Chief Wilmarth Gives Some
Concise Instructions.
intended to Help To ms w fthout
WaterW0rks.
LADDER TRICK FIRST.
Chemical Engine Also an I'M
portant Accessory.
Cisterns and Small Fire Engine
Would Be Convenient.
LADDER TRICK FIRST.

Fire Marshal G. o. Wilmarth read
q paper before the Kansas Fire Pre-
Ventton association this week which
contains a lot of information of value
to citizens of small towns and cities
who are DESTROYS of securing the best
possible fire protection. The address
was prepared, in response to an invita-
Non from President Charles F. Hardy,
that Chief Wilmarth speak on the fol-
lowing topic:
What can reasonably be asked of
volunteer fire department towns, with
or without a system of waterworks, in
the way of fire fighting apparatus; the
proper care it should have; and the
necessary drill and training of volun-
teer fremen2''
Mr.. Hardy explained in his letter
extending the invitation that the in
surance people are often accused of
asking too much from the small town
in the way of fire protection. He said
that the Fire Prevention association
desired the testimony of a competent
fireman on the subject and had select
ed Chief Wilmarth to give the desired
Chief Wilmarth's address was in
part as follows:
81 consider it among the most i'm
portant and very first duties of the
municipal officers of every village,
town and city to provide for the pro-
lection of the lives, the homes and
tie business and manufacturing prop
SIIy values OF us C1IZenS against nre.
Local laws should be passed, and
thoroughly enforced, providing for the
Gfe construction of buildings; regu-
hting the storage, handling and prop
r care of combustibles and explosives
IF every nature; providing for the safe
construction and proper care of CHM
neys, heating appliances, electrical
wiring and installations; and for rem
edying or the removal of fire hazards
and causes from which fires are liable
to occur. And if possible, in every
town some intelligent and faithful Of
ficer should be charged with the en-
forcement of such municipal laws and
regulations. Where a number of paid
hremen are employed, these duties
should be entrusted to the chief of the
fire department, or to some of his
regularly employed men.
Ladder Truck First.
eff a town has no system of water
works, and has no effective fire APP
paratus of any kind, a light hook and
ladder truck and a oh emical engine
would not be any more than would be |
necessary as a first installment of fire |
fighting apparatus. The hook and
ladder truck should be equipped with
from six 70 eight ladders, of different |
lengths including one or two roof lad
ders, and should carry at least four
pick-head fire axes, two or four port |
able chemical fire eXtinguishers, of
either or gallons each, according |
to the size of the truck: also IL or 5 |
hook, heavy pull-down hooks, with
pole. chain and rope, the requisite
number of pike poles for raising longer
ladders, such quantity of q inch and
inch rope as may be required, six
extra charges for the chemical extin-
guishers, , scoop shovels. , hay forks,
4 hand hooks for handling baled hay, !
1 door opener, 1 roof cutter, Ian
terms, a small box containing say five
pounds of salt for chimney fires, etc.
"A truck of this kind is a most
necessary and valuable apparatus for
every town, in connection with what |
ever other apparatus it may have.
Chemical engines have for years |
proven to be thoroughly reliable and /
efficient in controlling and extinguish- |
ing fires in their early stage. The |
fullest value of these engines is espe-
cially demonstrated in towns and
or three regular paid men are placed |
with them. Their use lessons greatly |
the water damage to buildings and /
contents The number of fires that |
are put out in this city by chemical !
engines averages yearly about rs per |
cent. of the total.
''In cases where a waterworks sys-
there is any means of obtaining water |
for filing fire cisterns, to be located
throughout the town, a good engine, |
or a light small sized steam fire en- /
CINE might be substituted for a chem |
ical engine if the town is too small to |
Justify the purchase of both. But in |
either event a good well equipped |
hook and ladder truck. as already |
named, should be recommended.
The Town With WaterworIxs.
eff a town has waterworks sys-