Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-09-29
NEED BETTER FIRE PROTECTION

NEED BETTER FlhE fsftOINJIHON
The two fires which have recently
occurred in town have forcibly dem
onstrated the need of better fire
fighting apparatus and the revival
OF our volunteer fire department. 1t
is true both of the fires were small
ones and were confined to the build
ings in which they originated. How
ever, the length of time required III
getting water onto the burning build
ings showed the need of better equip
ment and some one to handle it.
When the downtown hose cart
reached the Burgoyne fire last Fri
day night it was found that after the
Rinehart fire the hose had been
wound onto the reel wrong end to-
This caused a delay of five minutes
or more in getting the hose attached
to a hydrant. Fortunately the burn
ing building was so far away from
any other buildings that there was
practically no danger of the flames
spreading. But suppose. the fire had
been in business block or in a resi-
dence close enough to another one
to have caused the flames to spread
a disastrous fire would have been the
result. We don't know who is to
blame for having wound the hose
the Rinehart fire, and while 1t must
have been done Internationally, it
was a serious blunder, and one that
should not be permitted to occur
again.
Several years ago the city had a
volunteer fire department, which
made an effort at keeping the fire
apparatus in good condition. Drills
were held frequently and the depart
ment was in shape to do good SER
vice, in case of fire. But like many
other things of an important nature
in Montpelier, the department has
fallen into "innocuous desuetude, +"
and but little attention is given to
the fire apparatus.
There should be an awakening in
this matter and we would like to see
the present administration, which
has done splendid work along other
lines, make an effort to reorganize
the volunteer fire department and
get II in as good form as it was a
few years ago.
What the city really needs, and
must have soon, Is better means of
getting the hose carts and hook and
ladder trucks to fire. The present
carts are SO constructed that they
invariably upset in turning a corner
If they are going at a speed of about
ten miles an hour, and the chemical
engine Is of about as much use as
fifth wheel would be ON a wagon.
Just because Montpelier has had
nothing but an occasional small fire
during the past nine years, and be-
cause we have gotten along very
well with the apparatus on hand, is
no reason why the city should not
be provided with better equipment
and a better volunteer fire depart
ment. After the big fire of Oct. q.
1905, the people of Montpelier awoke
and almost unanimously voted in IA
vor of issuing bonds for the purpose
of installing water system. Will 1t
require another big fire to awaken
them to the need of providing ade-
quate equipment to use in connection
with the water system in fighting
fires? 1t is to be hoped not.
With the completion of the city
hall and sub fire station, the city
will have splendid quarters in which
to house efficient fire apparatus for
a community of this size. To procure
Ihe apparatus will require money.
but not great sum. We imagine
that $4,000 would purchase an auto
fire truck and other equipment that
would answer the purposes of this
town for many years to come. With
this ii would be necessary to employ
a good man who would ALWAYS be
ready to operate the auto at the first
sound of the fire alarm. A competent
man could be secured for $1,000 a
year. AS every one knows, time is
the essential thing when a fire starts.
The saving of one or two minutes
time in getting a stream OF water
onto blaze may result in prevent
ing the destruction of several thou
sand dollars worth of property
If the city should provide itself
with some such equipment as we
nave suggested. 1t would undoubted-
Iy result in materially reducing the
rate of fire insurance thruout the
city. The saving thus made would
IN a very short time pay for the fire
equipment.
Let's not wait until the horse is
st',len to lock the barn, but get busy
NV and buy the needed equipment.
But the administration will say. We
haven't got the money. Then go In
debt for It. The city could not nos
sibly go in debt for a better cause
and we are sure that such a move
would receive the hearty approval of
every taxpayer in the city.