The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-17
DEMOCRATIC ALDERMEN HAVE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR 2
PLATOON SYSTEM IN B. F. D.
Minority Members in Caucus
Draft Resolutions Which
Provide For Institution of
Change Now Sought BY
Fire Commissioners.

When the common council meets to-
night the Democratic members of that
| body will present a plan for a, two
platoon system in the fire department
which was evolved yesterday at a eau
Gus held in The Stratfeld. While
i.John A. Leonard, Republican presf-
dent of the fire board has submitted
a plan for a two-p1atoon system the
ordinance committee of the council.
most of the members of which are
epublicans, will not have any report
to make tcss4Mslt. The Democratic
plan is clear and comprehensive and
provides for Immediate action in the
event of it's passage.
In discussing the resolution today
Alderman Daniel P. Harrigan,
through whose efforts it will be pre-
sented to the council, said a similar
system is in vogue in other cities and
that it's installation here would give
the fren1en more time with their fam
lilies and would probably be a saving
to the city as it would do away with
the expense of having men sleep in
the fire houses and would make the
department more efficient fire fight
ing force.
The accommodation which will be
presented tonight follows:
LIST. That the superior officers Of
the fire department. shall consist of
four commissioners appointed by the
mayor and the last retired chief of
the department and the active chief
act with the commissioners in an adj
visory capacity, but neither are en-
powered to vote on any matters.
End. That the fire department con-
sist Of 220 men, namely, 20 men who
are now available for fire duty, viz:
Seven men attached to the fire alarm
system, four men attached to the ma
chine and carpenter shop force, one
Inspector one hydrant Inspector, one
supply wagon driver, - one mason,
three executive officers, chief and two
first assistant chiefs, one clerk and one
blacksmith and, 200 men for active
service.
Bird. The active service to be di-
vided into two p1atoof1s of 100 men
each one platoon to work for one
calendar month from a. m. to 6 p.
M. the second platoon to- work from
6 p. m. to a. m. and at the first of
each calendar month each platoon to
reverse the working hours. Continu-
Gus service, no. time off for meals and
no sleeping at the fire houses. All
men off duty to respond to second
alarms.
18th. Each fireman having per-
feet record shall be allowed two days
of each month which if not taken
when due may be placed to his credit
to be taken off all together, if at the
time he desires leave off, the alb
sence will not impair the department
in any way. The chief Of the fire de-
partment to so decide and his decis-
ion to be final.
5th. The force to be made up of
the present $50 men now available
for fire duty under the old working
agreement as to salary. And the
appointment of 10 reserve men to be
appointed bn probation at a salary of
$500 per year. After a probation
period of two years and accepted by
the commissioners as regular men at
the salary of $1,000 per year, and at
ter a. further service Of two complete
years to receive a yearly salary of ST.
200. All new mem bers hereafter
appointed to be placed on the proba-
tfon period as above stated.
9Th. All fremen and executive Of
f1cers eligible to the pension fund af-
ter receiving the maximum salary for
five years shall have their salary in
creased $10G per4year. same increase
to be automatically by the city auditor
to the frem EMS pension fund.
- 1t was the impression among the
officials at city hall today that the
ordinance committee will not re-
turn a favorable report on the plan
to increase the personnel of the fire
department and inaugurate the two
platoon system. The committee is
prepa-ed to report in favor of giving
the town clerk another typist at a
salary of 800 per year.
The session this evening will be a
short one There will be public
hearings on the petition of the Lake
Torpedo Boat Co. to close Adams and
Jefferson streets as the company owns
the property on both sides of these
thoroughfares Also the petition of
Joseph DeVelchio to place a building
over the building line in Hamilton
street; the petition of several property
owners for the establishment of
building line in. State. street between
Main and Broad streets and of the
Connecticut Co. for permission to dou-
BILE track in Boston avenue from
East Main street to Central avenue.