Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05
Change in Uniform.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The report of the chief engineer
shows that the total number of alarms
of fire received during the year was
1870, a decrease of eighty-seven from
the number received during the preced-
Ing year. The total fire damage dur
ing the year was s444.S25, covered by
insurance in the amount of s6,1S4.467
This fire loss is an increase of but
$496 over the loss for the preceding
year. Notwithstanding the fact that
twenty-four fires of exceptional sever
ity occurred. these twenty-four fires be-
ing in themselves responsible for a loss
of S3o2.s24. This holding in check of
the hre loss In the District of Columbia
Notwithstanding the marked increase
In buildings and business, is very graft
Tying to the Commissioners and the fire
department, and speaks most highly
Tor the splendid efficiency of this i'm
portant branch of the public service
Fire Prevention.
F1re-prevention work in practically
every municipality of this country has
become recognized as at least of equal
Importance with the extinguishtne of
hre. and the fire-prevention bureaus
have grown from year to year in propor-
con as the work has increased in scope
until at the present time the fire-preven-
Coh bureau OF every community is recog-
nlzeo as one of the most necessary
branches OF public safety. 1t is a source
OF regret to the Commissioners that
enorts to increase the force of the fire.
prevention ONCE in this city have been
unsuccessful. and renewed efforts will
be made along that line.
Motor Apparatus.
During the past two years the Com
missioners have been successful in secur
Ing from Congress appropriations for
motor apparatus extremely more liberal
than in any year heretofore, and this
recognition of our legislators of the
prime necessity for this type of appara-
tus leads to the belief that within the
next three years the fire department will
De completely motorized and horses in
the said department become a thing of
the past.
Discipline.
During the past year the Commission
ers have been called upon to administer
severe discipline upon members of. the
IRE department in but four cases. and
are gratified to note that the general
department of the officers and members
OF the department has been maintained
at its usual high standard
Pension Fund.
Congress at the last session passed
legislation to provide an adequate fund
Tor the relief Of disabled members of
the fire department. During the year
four pensions were granted all to
widows of deceased members of the de-
partment.
New Apparatus.
With the purchase during the year of
two two-passenger roadsters the fire de-
partment has completed the equipment
OF its chiefs with this method of trans
portation- Two two-wheeled tractors
and two motor-propelled hose wagons
were also purchased. enabling the de-
partment to motorize engine companies
Nos. and 9, and d motor pumping en-
CINE and motor hose wagon have also
been provided for No. 2S engine COM
pany. new company, the building for
which will shortly be completed
Horses
The present number of horses in the
fire department is 204, of which ITS are
IN good condition. Twenty-eight horses
were purchased during the year, and
thfrty-eight transferred TO other de-
partments.