The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-03-09
Offering a Number Of Good
Suggestions as to the
Fire Department.

cooperate WIN the clly government
IN the matter of installing q modern
fre-fghting system, the following
communication from the league was
referred to the committee having
the question in charge by the city
/. council Friday night:
we, The undersigned officers ana
directors OF the clarksburg Business
Mems League, realizing that the City
Of Clarksburs is sadly in need of an
efficient FIRE department and having
made a careful investigation as to
apparatus necessary for fire de-
partment and the cost thereof, wish
tutinake the following suggestions
and recommendation for your care
full consideration:
THAT we are satisfied when the
workfor the extension and improve
nent OF the water system Of the
city has been completed by the
Water and Sewerage Board, that It
will vastly improve our condition in
that respect and add materially to
the fire protection of the city, both
as to supply and pressure.
THE most serious disadvantage is
our very poorly equipped fire de-
parlment. We do not think that
isihe fire department as constituted Is
10 be criticised for what they have
failed to accomplish, especially in
the recent fire in our city. They
perhaps did the best they could with
what they had at hand.
with respect TO the fire depart
ment, it seems that our city needs
three stations. The present central
station should be torn down, and In
its place or some other place suit
ably situated, should he erected a
new, modern and thoroughly equip
ped central station. At this station
there should not he less than four
2 men, two on duty at all times, and
provision made that these men live
at such central station, SO that u
practically all times there would beI
four men who could be had at the
central station.
There should De smaller station
in the East End AMI one in the IVES;
End. AT each Of these stations, We
believe for the present, that it
would be sufficient to have two paid
men, and hose wagon light enough
to be drawn by one horse. We be-
lieve that the three stations thus
equipped would place the depart
meut in a position TO go to the fire
promptly, The station nearest 70
the fire could go to the scene at once
and hold it in check until the other
: stations could render assistance.
1t would be we'll TO give the cen
traI station motor propelled com
bination wagon, which would cost
approximately $4,000 This wagoa
has 50 gallon chemical tank on it,
the cost OF which is included in the
above figures.
I'VE consider it very essential
thing that over tho fire stations req
commended. there should be chief
with salary of not less than
$1,000 per annum. with full and
complete authority over his mel.
Such chief should have authority TO
Z employ and discharge the fire.
! men whenever he considered it to
I THE ibest interest OF the fire depart
mknt.
%rhe chief should, in addition,
have the authority TO require the
people TO keep their premises clean
and to require the abandonment O..
the use of rukber hose connecting
lights Or stoves, and to require that
all electric wiring he done subject
10 the national standard. We are
inclined to think that a number OF
the fires in this city have resulted
from electric wiring, and perhaps
not few from rubber gas tubing.
The latter is not only dangerous to
property, but TO life as we'll.
The city council should extend
the fire limits and should adopt Il
standard of construction with the
said limits, and, should, without
fear or favor. insist upon and en-
force such requirements.
The business center Of the city
has number OF frame buildings al
ready erected, hut this number
should not he allowed to become
larger.
we are not prepared to urge A
FIRE alarm telegraph system as we
believe by distributing the fire sta.
lions as above recommended. thu,
the alarms can be given 10y the tele.
phone or otherwise and will insur,
prompt service. However, cit,
growing as Clarksburg is, will