The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-03
AN IDEAL FIRE
DEPARTM
Practical Reorganization Of lo-
cal Fighters Recommended
BY UNDERWRITERS ENGINEERS
Reanangsmsut Of Fire Mains New and
Better Apparatus s-More Men and Fire
Boats Among Improvements.

Right on top Of the recent large ap-
propriations for fro apparatus for fire
service mains and fire stations the on
gineers' committee for the national board
of fire underwriters have made No-
luminous report OH conditions here with
accommodation that would make Prov
idence Utopia from the insurance mans
standpiont. but would cost the city
barrel or two OF money.
The board OF engineers. which went
90 work here in October prepared the
data. which appears in the report: f.. L.
Walker r. b. Test. l.. HolIingsworth,
Jr., F. r. Morse and assistants
The report says in part;
The fire department is on a full paid
basis. with members appointed and dis
charged by the board of fire commits
sioners. who establish all requirements.
Politics do not appear TO affect the ef-
ficiency OF the department to any APP
preciable extent The three ranking
chiefs have all had long experience. and
though regarded as efficient are now ad-
ysnced in years.
The nine engines in service are almost
all Of small capacity and are not always
well handled Ten OF the 20 hose wagons
are now equipped with chemical tanks
which number Is 10 be increased.
A medium grade hose Is used and Is
frequently renewed The supply on hand
IS less than safe practice requires.
The ladders with one exception arc In
fair condition.
An unpaid fire marshal is employed
by the city. His duties appear 10 be
nominal and are
The building laws are quite inadequate
TO prevent the erection OF hazardous
buildings or To Improve existing condi-
tions. especially for the reason that most
OF the essential features Of fire-resist-
ing construction are omitted
WATER FOR FIRE SERVICE.
New distributing or equalizing reservoir
OF capacity OF 10 days supply II possible.
located as near the congested district as
the topography will admit.
That the present high service fire mains
I'm the low service district be reserved
separate from the low-service system,
after the latter ia reorganized, with
yiaw TO their subsequent utilization by
the installation OF special high pressure
fire pumps for the supply OF hydrants In
the congested district al pressures OF from
175 10 200 pounds
That whether or not Hope reservoir
is made an integral part OF the revised
system Il be maintained for the present
as a possible emergency supply.
That sufficient supply Of fire hose
equipped with nozzes and permanently
attached to supply be Immediately pro-
vided I'm the building containing the Cor
liss pump at the Pettaconsett pumping
station.
That the distribution system be
strengthened by ,ne installation of IL
additional main arteries, ranging from II
TO is inches I'm diameter.
That the residential section In the
sortheasterly part OF tho city be better
protected by a material strengthening OF
ths arterial system in that locality, either
BY extending the 12-inch main I'm Broad
street southerly 10 an intersection with
the extension OF the 12-inch main I'm
Park avenue, or by such other means as
study OF local conditions may prove
90 be best.
That no mains supplying hydrants in
the congested district shall he OF less
diameter than II inches.
CIVIL SERVICE METHODS.
That the term OF office OF each fire COM
missioner be increased 10 three years.
That approved civil service methods
he followed IN appointing ard promoting
members OF tho FIRE department
That retiring age limit OF 80 years be
established.
That a competent superintendent OF ma
ehinery be appointed who shall be re-
eponsible for the condition or all appara-
tus and for the operation OF all engines
water towers. etc, at fires.
That the firemen be regularly drilled in
up to-date FIRE msthods dncuding tho use
OF siamese streams. distributing cellar
nozzles. etc.)
That all enginemen and their assistants
a oil tra ft,4p IN
their apparatus. and that proper proncien-
cy be shown by candidates before ap-
pointment TO these positions.
That hose companies ]. and Is be re-
placed by engine companies with two ex-
trs first and one FIRST size engine These
companies. after such change. should ba
Increased TO 70 men each
That new engines Of more reliable type
having Mt least 40 gallons actual capac-
ity. replace those now In service at En-
rine companies and T. and that a relia-
BILE engine with similar capacity be kept
In reserve.
That all the hose wagons be eventual
" equipped with chemical tanks and be
nrarged 20 carry 100 feet OF 2i4-nch hose
those wagons near the conRested district
Lsing both 2i5 and 3-inch hose, the latter
- be equipped with 2la-lnch couplings.
End that in addition 60 a reserve supplyof
i.O feet IN every house, n further hose re-
servc should be kept at headquarters
amounting 10 100 feet per company.
FOR FIRE BOATS.
Second alarms IN well bullt-up sections
OF the city call az least four engines 10
the frc and move considerable proper
ton OF tho remaining apparatus 10 closer
proximity 90 the box
That arrangements be made whereby
The city may obtain the services OF one
more tngboats. equipped with powerful
GfanHrfr.ae a
si all waterfront fires
That tests be made OF different kinds
OF coal under tho engine boilers. the most
efficient coal 10 be selected for future use.
That all engines be kept constantly
under steam.
That the circuits he res ranged so that
not more than y boxes shall be attached
20 any circuit
That key signs h~ provided AT once for
al KEY boxes. and tifas provision bo made
for lighting tho ia1np-popt boxes I'm the