East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-10-07
FIRE CHIEF To
MAKE REPORT
WILL RECOMMEND
AUTO HOSE WAGON.
Chemical Engine and Electric Alarm
System Also Among Improvements
Which Vaughan VIII Advise City
Council TO InstaIl-WOuld BE Pay
ing Investment.

! A recommendation to the Pendle-
| ton council to purchase an automo-
bile hose wagon and chemical engine
and install an electric alarm system
with a small paid fire department,
will be the chief feature Of the re-
port Of Fire Chief John Vaughan
when he reports to the city fathers Of
his recent trip to Vancouver, b. c.,
where he attended the meeting of the
fire chiefs of the Pacific coast.
Chief Vaughan is enthusiastic over
the possibilities of an automobile fire
protection when used in connection
with an electric alarm system. He
declares that 1t would increase the ef-
ficiency Of Pendleton's fire depart
ment wonderfully.
1--WE have the best volunteer fire
department on the coast" said Chief
Vaughan, "but we can give the city
a much greater protection at a reas-
enable cost by the use of the most
modern methods.
81 shall recommend the purchase
OF an automobile hose wagon and
chemical engine. This will carry
about 1900 feet OF hose which is
quite sufficient for almost all pur-
poses especially when 1t is possible
through a prompt alarm system to
get to the fire before 1t has greatly
advanced.
"The automobile will cost the city
about $500. The alarm system with
boxes on corners where most needed
will cost another s45OO. while the in
stallation will bring the cost up to
about $4,000.
ITO handle this system one paid
man at least probably two will be
necessary. BY its use We could get
our equipment to fire in the quick
est possible time. There would be no
menacing delays.
while the council is hard up now.
and | can hardly expect them to take
W the plan at once, I am going to
recommend that they make a 3-mill
tax levy next year for the purpose OF
installing this system. This levy on
cur city's valuation of $4,OOO,00O will
net $4,000, enough to install the
system and operate 1t one year.
1T is an investment that would
pay the taxpayers of Pendleton so
per cent on the investment.
"Pendleton annually pays out s4O,-
600 in insurance premiums.
"Such a system would reduce the
annual premium IA per cent, or $500
per year. Thus in two years the saw
ing in premiums would practically
ray for the system. The maintenance
after that would be less than $4,000
per year. saving the property owners
and taxpayers of Pendleton a similar
sum.
81 have talked with many taxpay-
ers who favor the idea, and believe
there will be a demand for this system |
when the saving is figured out in
cold dollars and cents even without |
taking any reckoning of the increased |
efficiency in the department"
Mr.. Vaughan expects to submit mis-
report and its recommendations on
next Wednesday night.
Extend Fire Protection.
The Washington school in the east
end and the residence district about
Byers grove are to be afforded fire
by an extension of the
water main from Beauregard to River
street. where a fire plug will be es-
.ablished. Pipe for the main is now
IN the ground and will be put in place
lext week upon the arrival of the
proper fittings which the city has Or
lered from Portland.