Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-16
MODEL ENGINE HOUSE
Perfect Quarters to Be De-
signed for No. 2 Company.
NEWEST IDEAS APPLIED
Offices of Fire Chief to Be in New
Structure.
ROOM FOR A RESERVE ENGINE
Leon F. Dessez Consulting Chief
Wagner and Superintendent
Robinson.
ROOM FOR A RESERVE ENGINE

a fire-engne house. to be a model for
fire departments all over the United
States. is being designed as the new
home of No. > engine company, for cree
ton on the site on the east side of 10Th
street between G. and II streets north
west.
The present home of engine is on D
street between nth and 18th streets
Owing to the appropriation by Congress
of S2,J0O.0G9 to purchase the land in the
five squares bounded by PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, the Mall, 18th and 18th streets,
the Commissioners were compelled to find
a new location for the engine house.
The proceedings for the condemnat ton
of the five squares in question have pro-
crossed so far that an early taking over
of the property by the government is eX-
pected. The work of preparing the plans
and of constructing the new engine house
is therefore being rushed so that the new
home will be occupied before abandon
cnent or the present quarters is ordered
by the courts.
Model for Whole Nation.
Congress has appropriated $4,000 for
the purchase of new site and the cree
ton of a new house. Within the limits
Of that appropriation. Commissioner Mac
farland explained this morning, it is
hoped to build an engine house that will
be model not only for the Washington
fire department, but for the entire
country
Preparation of the plans for the new
structure has been let out, under con-
tract, to Architect Leon +. DeSSeZ. He
has been in consultation with Fire Chief
Wagner and Superintendent of Machinery
y D@1~; .;%I~ 49,,
flying in the new house all the latest
IDEAS of fire engine house construction.
All its equipment is expected to be of the
latest approved pattern.
The house will also serve as headuuar-
ters of the fire chief. At present he is
stationed at No. II engine house. on Sth
street near D street. The location of the
new station is such that it has been de-
cided to provide offices therein for him.
Besides quarters for the fire chief and
his carriage and for the fire engine and
hose wagon of No. 2 engine company
the house will also provide accommoda-
lions for a reserve engine and a reserve
truck.
AS the house is to be centrally located
the reserve engine and truck can be
quickly rushed to take the place of any
downtown engine or truck suddenly put
Of service. This arrangement, it is be-
Flieved, will increase the efficiency of the
department.
No Motor Engine Quarters.
The plans do not contemplate the
placing of a motor fire engine in the
model fire House. Fire Chief Wagner ia
vors installation of motor fire-fighting ap-
paratus first In suburban sections.
On account of the distance which the
automobile engines can cover in a short
space of time, he believes that they will
prove of more value to the department
and provide more efficient safety to the
residents of the District by being placed
in the county portions of the National
Capital, where long runs are necessary in
response to fire alarms. The equipment
of the new model engine house will there
fore be for horse-drawn fire fighting ap-
paratus.
Besides this model house, the fire de-
parIment will soon have the use of three
other fire houses. the plans for which are
in the course of preparation. or soon
will be. One of these will be located on
G. street between Dist and ODD streets,
and will be for an engine company. A
second new house will be for a truck
company and will be located on X street
between Sd and Az streets southwest.
The third, provided in the last District
appropriation act, will be for chemical
engine on Randle Highlands. Col. A. Z.
that he is ready to donate a site for the
new chemical engine house as soon as
the Commissioners fix the location.
Commissioner Macfarland said today
that no plans have been made for the an
nual inspection of the fire department,
which ends in the presentation of the
prize flag for the most efficient company.
This usually takes place in October.
1t is announced that early next month
the Commissioner in charge of the fire
department will appoint a committee of
four citizens to visit the several fire
houses and pat the companies through
their drills. The members of the COM
panieS are, however, anticipating this an
nual inspection and are putting their
houses in ship shape and parfecting their
drills.
The exact date for the inspections will.
however, not be announced. 1t is desired
to allow the committee to visit the diff
ferent houses at unexpected times.