New Britain herald., 1917-11-28
RECOMMEND CHANGE IN SIGNAL SYSTEM For Greater Efficiency of the
 PlainVille Hose Company
 TO AVOID CONFUSION ALSO

It Is Also Suggested That the Select
 man Give Orders That the Man
 erly Covered.
 Several citizens have recommended changes in the fire signal system which. in their estimation, would tend toward greater efficiency on the part of the Plainville Hose company. These changes, if adopted. it is thought, would reduce materially the delay and confusion which prevails in nearly every instance when the fire depart ment is called into action. It has been suggested that the signal to call the military mon to arms be changed to one long blast of the whistle at the Bristol Mfg. Co. At present seven toots of the whistle now apprise members of the Home Guard to mobilize at the town hall. One blast of the whistle now signifies that the Bristol Mfg. Co.'s building is on fire.
 It has been explained that one short blast on the whistle followed by others at specified intervals, could be used as signal for a fire at the manu- featuring plant while the long blast could call the Home Guard out. The signals which are now in vogue to call out the hose company could re- main as they are.
 Owing to the numerous requests of residents 1t has been deemed advis- able to print a list of the fire districts
 
 They follow:
 Two blasts of whistle-East Main street, Pennington avenue. Norton Place, New Britain avenue, R. R. Square.
 Three blasts-Bohemia street, For estville avenue, Strong court, Wash ington and N. Washington, West Main street
 Four blasts-Bicycle street, Crown street. Elbow Lane. Hough street, Maple street.
 Five blasts-Broad street (West 1 side,) Canal street, Church street. Pearl street, Pierce street, Redstone l Hill, Southington Road, Welsh street. Six blasts-Broad street. (East side) East street. Hamlin street, Park street. Tomlinson avenue, Whiting street
 Several weeks ago the Home Guard was called out by seven blasts of the whistle. Owing to the irregularity of 1 the tOots the firemen also responded l to the call This illustration, several I residents state, shows the need of l different system and one which will eliminate all confusion and un- necessary delay. It has also been l suggested that the military unit use some other means of notification than 1 the whistle at the Bristol Mfg. Co. Officials of the Plainville Hose com pany could not be communicated with l this morning so their attitude anent 1 the installation of new system or the re-organizing of the old one is not | known. They, however, probably req lize the utmost importance of having adequate signal facilities and the part the signal system plays in proper fire protection in the town. 1 Should Cover Manholes. At least two manholes on West Main street have for the past several weeks been left uncovered or partially uncovered. One of the manholes is situated near the grocery store of Fris- 1 bic & Hemingway and the other is al- most directly in front of the Episcopal church. For the protection of the public stick of wood has been |. placed across the manholes which does not entirely cover the opening. l Comment has been voiced because of these lamentable conditions and it is said that they should be entirely covered to provide protection for pe- destrians, automobilists and horse drawn wagons as we'll as the horses l themselves
 Under prevailing conditions a horse being driven up West Main street and close to the curbing would in all prob ability step into one of the manholes. Fatal injuries to the horse, driver or occupan s of the vehicle would per-