The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-09-18
BETTER PROTECTION
CITY COMMISSION WILL BE ASK
ED TO APPROVE NEW FIRE
FIGHTING REGULATIONS.

More thoroughly convinced than
yer of the inadequacy of the fire
alarm system and of the present
mode of responding to alarms. Fire
Chief James Robertson will recon-
mend to the city commission at its
regular meeting tonight that more
modern methods be applied.
A fire alarm SEN from the home
of Or. w. A. Rothschild. 904 North
Egan ven was responded to short
~ after noon yesterday. The blaze
was confined TO a chimney and the
! only damage, other than the loss of
a few bolts and wrenches, a part of
the fire fighting apparatus, was suf-
fered by August Eggebraaten, a
member of the fire department, who
had his left foot crushed when he
was thrown in front of the chemical
wagon.
Men, only a part of whom were
members of the fire department, as
sisted in getting the wagons out of
the fire station. Some shouted that
the fire was at 904 Egan avenue.
while others insisted that the blaze
was at "a Egan venue At the or
ner of Egan avenue and Fifth street
one fire wagon went north in Egan
avenue, while the other turned south.
Both had gone a couple of blocks or
so i'm their respective directions.
when they were returned to the cor
ner for new directions. The result
was a considerable delay.
Chief Robertson. who had hurried
to headquarters in his auto, found
that the men in charge of the fire
wagons had not received their direc-
lions plainly. Today he said that
steps should be taken TO prevent the
! departure of the apparatus until eX-
plicit directions had been given and
understood.
1t is also pointed out that the
present method Of responding to fire
alarms endangers life and limb. To
win the reward of SO. which is paid
to The first vehicles arriving at the
fire station, with which to draw the
fire wagons, automobiles and horse
driven wagons are fastened TO the
building. There have been several
narrow escapes from injury. both by
pedestrians and firemen. Immedi-
ately following the sounding Of a fire
alarm there is usually more or less
congestion in front of the fire sta
ton, and frequently at the corner of
Egan avenue and Fifth street. The
result has been many near collisions.
it is pointed out. 1t occasionally oc-
ours that when fire wagons have
been attached TO the rear of automo-
biles, drivers start forward at undue
speed. endangering the firemen who
must run behind the automobile or
ride on top OF the fire wagon tongue
to steer the cart.
While steering the chemical wag-
on yesterday August E~ggebraaten
was thrown to the ground at the cor
ner of Egan avenue and Fifth street.
One wheel of the wagon ran oYer his
left foot. crushing the member and
tearing off the shoe. Mr.. Egge-
braaten was running between the au-
tomobile and the chemical wagon.
He shouted TO the driver to stop, but
the driver, owing to noise made by
the crowd. did not hear. Mr.. Egge-
braaten today is compelled to go
about on c%rutches. Persons who wit
messed the accident say il was by the
merest chance that one or both his
legs were not broken. The chemical
wagon weighs about $500 pounds.
1t is probable that the commission
ers will be asked to consider engag-
ing owners of trucks to respond TO
fire alarms. Small attachments
could be made to the rear of the
trucks, which would not interfere
with other hauling, by which fire
wagons could be drawn in safety, il
is explained.
1t will probably be recommended
that a more efficient alarm signal be
arranged. While the fire bell was
being tolled yesterday, the rope
broke. 1t is said that the present
alarm cannot be heard for any con-
siderable distance.
1t is thought that the proposed
street REMEMBERING system would ia
~cilitate the work Of firemen in locat-
ing fires. One suggestion made is
that the fire alarm bell be equipped
so that it may be rung from the tele-
phone central office.