The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-02-23
MOTOR FIRE APPARATUS.
It's Use Is Defended by Municipal Jour
nal

| In reviewing the reports of fire depart
ments throughout the country, perhaps
one of the most striking features is the
unanimity OF officials in asserting the
remarkable efficiency OF motor drawn fire
apparatus. At a time when the cor
pofate limits Of towns are being rapidly
leXtended to embrace wider territory and
when large numbers of city residents are
esta blishing suburban residences, it be-
comes a difficult matter, especially for
| the smaller towns, TO supply adequate
| fire protection. The increase in build
| ing heights and the congestion of bust
ness sections require of larger cities a
quick and effective fire service. In cop
ing with such problems, the motor
drawn apparatus has undoubtedly prov
en- its superiority.
For the past few years the fire depart
ment of Kansas City, Mo-, has been in
stalling modern equipment, and the board
of fire and water commissioners is very
emphatic in its appeal for complete mo-
torization. In many instances where
distant fires had to be reached the horses
have shown themselves to be unequal to
the strain of pulling up steep hills, with
the result that much valuable property
was destroyed. The commissioners have
advised the council that with modern
apparatus, automobile service and auto
mobile tractors for large hook and ladder
trucks, water tower and steamers the
department could be more efficient with
less men than it now has, and it would
be measure of economy, for new horses
and feed cost more than repairs and
gasoline"
The experience of the fire department
of Roanoke Va, shows that, in addi-
ton to a saving in the maintenance OF
horses and apparatus, there is the de-
creased cost of keeping station that
shelters only motor apparatus. ut is
not necessary" says the report, "to keep
man on night watch, thus cutting down
both the light and fuel BILL 1t does
not require third of the soap, poll
ish, brooms. disinfectants, sponges, and
many other little articles to keep the.
station clean. To be brief, the horse is
the one item of expense in the mainte-
nance of the department.
The question of the durability of mo-
tor apparatus has been well discussed by
Chief Bennett of Birmingham, Ala, in
an address before the International AS
ISOLATION of Fire Engineers. He states
that 'the durability of the motor ma
chine, if properly handled, should be al
most indefinite, since its radius of action
is comparatively small and its mileage
per year in many instances less than 100
miles, and in very few cases exceeding
800 miles In the ma iority of alarms an
swercd the entire distance to and from
the fire ia over naVpd or we'll Kent
streets, which reduces the wear and tear
of the machine to a minimum"
In larger cities the installation of mo-
tor-drawn apparatus is making rapid
strides, for, as we have stated above,
the need of better fire protection is felt
very keenly because of the congested
conditions that obtain. Fire Marshal c.
L. Seyferlich of Chicago, in his report
to the city council, expressed the opin-
Jon that with the equipping with motor
already begun Sufficient in
terest had been aroused to encourage
him in the belief that at no distant day
the fire department of Chicago would be
well equipped with machines OF the most
modern type, for the city is still in urg-
ent need of better fire protection"
IL is not alone the wholesale rivalry
among cities wing with each other for
better fire equipment that accounts for
the great increase in the use OF motor
but back OF all that. as we
have shown, are the great efficiency,
speed, economy, durability and sanitary
conditions that can be obtained through
such equipment.-From Municipal Jour |
nal.