St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-10-30
G2r'tsanu .far>.rcr
ia; Fi&y, October 30. 1893.
OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.


Each succeeding fire that occurs in Cow
ngton brings with it a useful lesson that
Aus IN proficiency Of the department. The
IRE OF saturday night, with all the unfortu-
naCe obstacles to good work, brought clearly
into view the superiority of the protection
from hre to-day over that of few years
ago. With strong wind deficient water
supply (caused by water plugs having two
and one-elghth inch openings instead of two
men openings, to which coupling could not
be made) and one pump rendered useless by
becoming DISTRACTED, still the fire was pre-
vented from spreading into the business dis
trlct Buildings twenty or thirty feet from
blazing structures and much personal prop
erty was saved.
The numerical strength Of the department
and the alacrity with which the members
turn out when the alarm is sounded give evil
dence OF that unselfsh spirit of devotion to
the town and civic pride that is step by step
bringing CoVington nearer to adequate fire
protection.
Our department renders an entirely volun-
tary service. Not only do fremen risk their
lives for the protection of life and property,
but they do so without out remuneration,
paying their dues and standing incidental
expenses as matter of duty.
Experience has taught the necessity for
drills and practice work will be entered into
more largely, but the lessons learned at the
various fires show that conditions are so va
rlable that preparatory work resolves itself
largely into thorough discipline and obedience
to orders that are called forth by the exc
gencies of the particular occasion. The
ability to comprehend at glance the neces-
sary work to be done at fire only comes
through practical experience that must be
gained by attendance at fires and actual
work performed, but in order to make this
experience serviceable there must be unhesi-
tatlng obedience to superior officers and a
concert of action acquired by practice drills
Chief Ostendorf had issued orders for a
general alarm, which was to have been
sounded last Sunday, for the purpose of test
ing the new fire plugs, but the unfortunate
occurrence Of the fire Saturday night pre-
vented this program from being carried out,
hence the unlocked for difficulty in connect
ing the hose with the plugs came as a sur
prise and caught the Department unprepared
to overcome it.
With the water power as now provided d.
rect connection with the plugs will supply
sufficient force to throw stream on any
fire without the use of the pumps an ad-
vantage that gives much more effective
service and much better protection from fire
Chief Ostendorf announces that an alarm
will be sounded Sunday afternoon between
2 and 3 o'clock, when each company will
have an opportunity to display the thorough
ness of it's organization and discipline.
1t may almost be said that Covington has
two Fire Departments, for the promptness
with which the Abita Fire Company has al
ways responded to the need of assistance in
Covington guarantees its support in times
of adversely, and secures to it the thanks of
the citizens and Fire Department of Gov
ington.