Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-15

The citizens of New London are
 satisfied that the volunteer fire depart
 ment as at present organized is far
 more efficient than would be a paid
 department inasmuch as there IS all
 ways a large working force at fires
 and the response to alarms is as
 prompt as in any paid department, and is much more economical Ap-
 preciating this fact the city is gen
 erous to the firemen in the matter of
 equipment. It is a safe guess that
 within three or four years every com
 pany will have motor driven fire ap-
 paratus. Already two of the compa-
 nies have modern machines and ap-
 prepriation has been made for the
 third. The American LaF'rance trf-
 pie operation fire truck for the Mag
 aras, which cost $8,000 has arrived and was put to very severe and
 satisfactory test on Wednesday of the present week and in this machine the city has the very best fire fighting machine in existence, the equal Of any in the largest cities.
 This machine has unusual power and speed and is a combination chem ieal and hose wagon and is also equipped with pumps that can do the work of the most powerful steam fire engine. This machine can reach fire in any part of the city in the quickest time and can be used as chemical fire extinguisher, hose cart or a steamer. just what has been needed in New London for many years.
 There are sections of the city where there is low water pressure, where the hydra ant force is not sufficient to throw a stream of water but very short distance and in these sections the pumps can be operated and in the event of large fires in the business centre the NiagaraS can take water direct from the harbor so that the other companies can have the benefit of the full force of the city water system, and the Niagara steam fire engine that has been of great service in emergencies can now he held in re- serve.
 The new Niagara machine can trav- el at a speed of fifty miles an hour a horse can draw wagon, as the machine can climb the steepest of hills and with no decrease in speed. This was demonstrated on Wednes- day After the engine had been put to the most severe tests at pumping, the suction hose was taken from the water, placed in position on the ma chine and was then immediately started for the steepest hills and climbed them without any more effort than if travelling on the most level macadam or vitrified brick roads.
 In this connection, it may interest some to know that just at the present
  a auto-chemieaI hose wagon ever in practical fire use in the United States and also the very latest fire apparatus. The old machine has been in use for twelve years and has done great ser vice. At the time of it's purchase fire apparatus of the automobile type was In the experimental stage, but the members of the company took 1 chance and at their own expense pur- i chased the apparatus and placed it at | the disposal of the city and in the | direct charge of the fire department l and the chief engineer to 1 be used just as any of the other ap- | oaratus of the department. The mem | oers of the company paid out of their own funds the sum of S5,500 and | agreed to turn the old machine in to- l wards the payment for the new ap- oaratus. There will be no cheers or 1 eers when that old machine rolls out 1f the Niagara house to return no more.
 Now that the time for departure iraws near there is growing senti nent not only among the members of he company but many of the citizens o retain Old Maude, she is famil- arly called, for the good she has done.