Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-14
WILL REORGAN|zE
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHIEF LIPS REFERS PLANS TO
COMMISSIONERS
COUNCIL MAY ACT MONDAY
Request for Two New Battalion
Chiefs, Three New Engines, six
Combination Carts and Ad-
dltlonal Hose

Two new battalion chiefs. three new
fire engines, six combination chemical
engines and hose carts and 10000 feet
Of fire hose was the modest request
made to the fire commission yesterday
morning by Chief of the Fire Depart
ment Lips.
The chief hopes to effect the COM
plete reorganization of the fire depart
ment, and, as he has the united back
ing of the mayor and the commission,
II is believed he will be successful.
1t is but two weeks sinces at his re-
quest; the council passed an ordinance
creating the positions of seventeen
lieutenants in the department, thus
making 1t possible to have commits
stoned officer in charge of all fire houses
at all times. In this way 1t was hoped
the discipline of the department would
be materially improved.
Aside from this, Chief Lips finds that
ewing to the fact that the city spreads
over so much ground, the department
cannot answer all alarms. In the
outlying residence districts many costly
homes have been built, and he feels
that better arrangements should be
made for their protection.
Plans Of the Chief
His plan Is to have the position Of
battalion chief created and two such
officers appointed to have charge under
the chief and assistant chief Of certain
districts, to make the rounds of inspec-
ton Of all of the engine houses In
their districts each day and to receive
the reports of the captains and make
a district report to him.
The plan contemplates stationing one
OF the sub-chefs in the fine new
engine house under construction at the
present time In the Eighth ward. and
the other in the southwestern portion
Of the city. 1t is the desire of the
chief to make the department as mod
ern and efficient as possible.
Two of the third size fire engines are
needed for the two houses now build
ing, for which the city has as yet no
apparatus. The third is to be used as
a relief engine, should one of the regu-
lar engines meet with an accident and
have to be taken to the shop for re-
pairs.
OF the six combination chemical en-
gines and hose carts desired. two are
for the equipment Of these new COM
panies and the others are necessary
to replace broken-down and worn-out
apparatus now in use by the depart
ment.
Favor Recommendation
The 10000 feet Of fire hose almost took
the breath Of the commission away,
but when they heard the chiefs ex-
PLANTATION they decided to ask the coun-
Gil to buy 1t. It is claimed by the
chief that II two hoses are furnished
to each company, much quicker and
better service can be had.
The commission decided that the
recommendations of the chief are
correct, and voted to ask the council
to purchase what he desires under
specifications drawn by him, and to
create the positions of two battalion
chiefs.
Acting also on the recommendation
OF Chief Lips, the commission addressed
a communication to the board of
water commissioners, drawing atten-
tion to the scarcity of fire hydrants in
the city, and committee was appoin-
ted to confer with the water commiss-
toner's, and. IL possible, secure the set
TIM. Of number Of new hydrants.