Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-08-29
lP-TO-DATE. FIRE FIGHTING SHOWS
4 CITY NEEDS MOTOR APPARATUS

Coll dSh anu IllIuh QuIChly dS OCCdSEOu
requires. 49,. a.."
Tenure of Office is essential as no
member should be subject to the va
carries of politics, but should only be
dismissed for cause after public trial
before the appointing officer. A good
record, seniority and the opinion of
the chief should be the controlling
consideration in promotions.
Force Required.
AS to the force required the ma
tional board calls for at least seven
or FIVE men, depending on the dis
triet, to be present at all times at
each engine and ladder company and
hose companies five and three men.
The distribution of fire COMPANIES
is largely dependent upon the top.
ography Of city, and somewhat Hpon
the size and shape of the mercantile
and other high value districts, but
the national board considers that an
engine and hose wagon should be with
in a half mile of any point in high
value districts. and within one mile of
any point in built-up residential dis
tricts.
"A limiting feature will be the
amount of apparatus which should re-
spond to first alarms For motor APP
paratus these limits can in many cases
be somewhat extended, more in out
lying runs tnan in the crowded down
town streets. Chemical apparatus
should be so distributed that at least
two pieces will answer all first alarms
In high value districts and one in other
sections.
Motor propelled apparatus has in
recent years become the standard
equipment for fire department use and
was indicated in recent tests. There
are several MAKES of reliable automo-
bile pumping engines which have made
showings which II would be doubtful
If steam engines could equal Specially
trained and skilful operators are, how
ever. essentially necessary with this
class of apparatus.
Proper equipment for given de-
partment is largely dependent upon
the topography, character of the build.
ings and adequacy of water supply.
Al pressure of Is pounds under fire
draft iustifies a layout on direct n.y.
drant stream basis, until buildings.
four stories or over in height, begin to-
be numerous in the congested district.
A Common Defect.
Zone OF the most common defects
found in fire department equipment is
the lack of proper facilities for handl-
ing powerful especially the
absence Of threeinch hose, which has
less than two-fifths Of the friction loss
in 25sinch hose The national board
recommends the extensive use of
and that each hose wagon
Gerry equal amounts Of 21k-inch and
three-inch. They also recommend ttr-
ret pipes on about every fourth hose
wagon and deluge sets to be carried on
each ladder truck.
Since the introduction of reliable
motor apparatus several of our cities
have established. in centrally located
quarters. an auxiliary squad or flying
which has In all instances
resulted in much more efficient SER
vice.
Chemical apparatus is chiefly de-
pendent upon at ordinary fires, and
the automobile combination chemica.
and hose has now become most valu,
able piece.
As has been frequently demonstrat,
ed, the average, fire department is not
30 fully equipped as to enable it alone !,
to successfully cope with fire of con- |
Migration proportions, and Is therefore |
compelled to call upon other cornmuni- |
ties for aid This fact makes it most |
urgent that. recognized standards OF
uniformity in fire-fghting appliances
and utilities should be adopted in ev-
cry city ard town in this country, and |
in relation to the diameter
and pitch of threads on hose couplings
and hydrant outlets. The cost of con-
version, or replacement, as has been |
demonstrated, is so small as
to be almost negligible, as compared |
with the material benefits insured |
through uniformity in public freight |
ing utilities.
Can Protect Large Area.
Il understand that we have repre- |
sented here today several surrounding |
boroughs and towns within compare,
lively small radius of Reading, which |
have a combined population estimated |
at nearly $4,000. There is probably no |
other invention of modern times of |
to scattered communities |!
for fire protective purposes than the
fire apparatus. the speed, !
together with high-powered motors.
the carrying of a large
force of men, large chemical tanks
hose and SUFFICIENT ladders and minor
equipment, make 1t most efficient
protection over a considerable area
'sWhy couldn't our scattered COM
lay out fire district to great
and with adjoining fire dis |
tricts work out scheme of mutual
help, by which three or four pieces OF
apparatus can within reasonable