Arizona republican., 1909-08-04
BETTER FIRE
 PROTECTION Men Named For Three Con- panIes Soon to Begin Drilling CHIEFS REPORT 10 COUNCIL
More Hose, Two Hose Carts, a General Overhauling of Present Equipment, Are Some Recommendations of New Official.

At the regular meeting of the city i council last night the most important thing coming up for consideration was the recommendations of the newly ap- pointed fire chief. C. Fred Bracket. Chief Bracket throughout his ap- pOintments. suggestions and recOm- mendations has sought to be practical and economical. The report furnished considerable subject for discussion.
 The report was as follows:
 Mesa City. August 2. 1909. To the Honorable Mayor and City
 Council of Mesa City, Arizona.
 It Is with pleasure that I accept the position of chief of the fire depart ment of Mesa City and as such officer I herewith recommend to your honor able body the following named as members of said department, same to be appointed by you.
 would recommend that the said city maintain three companies as fol- lows:
 Two hose companies of seven men each.
 One chemical company of four men
 For hose company number one. James Daley, captain; Mark Newell lieutenant. Jack Alison, Geo. r. Mac donald, George Best. Lou Trimble and Wm. Stoddard, pipeman.
 For hose company number two: NJ P Holladay. captain; Joe Noble. lieu tenant; Henry Riggs, Erastus LeBar- on. Frank Riggs. William Riggs and Cove Phelps. pipemen.
 For the chemical company: c. F.. Cannon, captain: John Riggs. lieu tenant; Vivian Irwin, tankman. D. Morris. pipeman.
 I would also recommend that you erect a small galvanized iron hose barn on the vacant lot between the Hibbert & Nets stable and the At taway blacksmith shop. The owner of said property has donated the use of same gratis until such time as they should want to use said property for building purposes.
 have visited the Phoenix and Tempe fire departments and find that the small two wheel reel hose carts, hand power. are about the thing for a town of this size. The price fob. Mesa for such carts Is $150 each. These carts are light. durable and will each carry 500 feet of 3-inch hose
 It has been rumored that hose placed on reels in this hot country would soon become rotten and of no use but upon investigation I saw hose which had been in use for six years and still in good condition and able to withstand ninety pounds pressure.
 ] would further recommend that a windlass with pulleys and ropes he erected at the water tower frame for the purpose of drying the hose after it had been used. This tower would make an ideal drying place and save the city some expense. The city would furnish paid men for this work, said hose to be washed on the outside af- ter using.
 I would also recommend that a fire bell be purchased of suitable size and sounding power, the same to be placed in the down town district. and that the old bell on the chemical engine house be frightened and new ropes placed on same
 would further recommend that nineteen fire helmets be purchased. The helmets are needed as a protec- ton to the men from falling timbers and bricks. These are listed at S325 each. Discounts not named. Shields not included are listed at s1.00 each.
 The hydrants installed are not of standard size. so I would recommend that at least four expanders be pur chased to make the hydrants Of a standard size so in case of fire of large proportions and it would become necessary to call for assistance from Tempe or Phoenix, we would then be in shape to use the equipments loan ed. In this connection l would ask that you instruct your clerk to noti- fly the Tempe department of our size of hose so that in case we were ever called upon to go to their aid they would be able to use our equipment.
 I would further recommend that any team hauling the chemical engine to any fire be paid S2.5O for such ser vices. Also three dollars for the first team reaching q fire with the hose cart and two dollars for the second team.
 In the matter of an assistant fire chief I would suggest that the posi- tion be left open until suitable man can be picked from the ranks. In the absence of the chief the senior cap tain to take command.
 owing to the distance between hy- drants. l would recommend that the city purchase 1000 feet more hose than that already ordered.
 I would also recommend that the city purchase sal soda and acid