Putnam patriot., 1917-10-19
PUTNAM LACKS
 FIRE PROTECTION
High Points in City Without Adequate
 Water Pressure
Tests Made Show Alarming Conditions
Pump on Fire Truck Logical Remedy. Citizens 10 Be Asked 10 Vote Appro-
 priation

priati0n
 Officials of the fire department, some Of the city officials and a gooos nmber 1 ot citizens, believe the time has ar- rived when the conditions existing on the high points surrounding the city In relation to fire protection should be brought home To the people of Putnam.
 have been made and it is found that very little protection is afforded in some places and almost none in others. At the Day kimball hospital it was found that through fifty feet of hose a stream could be shot over the wind mill and that two streams would reach the roof of the building. This is not l an alarming condition.
 On Grand View there is no protec- tion. Through 400 feet of hose only a 10 foot stream could be secured. This would not reach to the second story. The Wheaton fire on Oak hill dem- | onstrated forcefuily the conditions there, as the firemen were powefless, on account of lack of pressure, which was so low that the nozzle-man could shut it otf with his hand.
 A line of hose attached to hydrant 1 on Walnut street and run 10 the so called Skinner house evidenced that a stream sufficiently powerful to throw water on the roof was to be had. But farther to the east it Is said that there is little or no pressure.
 The southern part of Oak hill, below where the Wheaton house stood is also inadequately protected, although il is believed that by attsching hose to hydrant at the foot of the hill some pressure may be had providing the standpipe is full.
 That the conditions have been most unfavorable st these points has been known for some time. On account of the expense entaied the matter has not been taken up before. Since the Wheaton fire there has been A stir among the citizens Of these points and others toward seeing what can be done to make them safe.
 Officials of the department and city officials have been making careful investigation of conditions and seek ing the remedy. 1t is understood that they have reached the conclusion that the only logical solution of the situa ton is pump to be attached to the motor driven fire truck. This has al- ready been recommended by the in- surance underwriters and the engineer who made survey of the water works stated that the plant is at present in- adequate to properly take care of the increased demands for water made upon it.
 With pump the canal, river, or even wells could be used, if necessary, as source of supply. It is stated that such pump could throw three streams over the highest blocks in the business section with the canal near l Pomfret street as a supply.
 l It seems as though, all things con sidered, the pump is the only feasible 1 plan to relieve the situation and give adequate fire protection. It is esti mated that such pump would cost somew here near s3,0O0, possibly lit- tie less.
 While the city is following a policy Of economy there are times when saw ing dollars and cents in one way may be very expensive in another way. The Wheaton fire and it's approximate loss of 8 900 is recent illustration.
 Had the firemen had sufficient water pressure without doubt much of the building, If not all but portion of the
 roof, might have been saved. This alone would have saved an amount of property that would more than offset the cost of such a pump.
 The matter is such an important one,
 and it is so evident that the pump Is
 needed, that 1t would seem that every citizen would favor spending the
 money necessary to make conditions
 safe. It certainly is an alarming con- dition to realize that certain parts of the city are practically unprotected in case of fire as at present. When the
 matter comes up for vote 1t would
 seem that the citizens, if they consider
 the matter, will unanimously vote in
 favor Of giving the city adequate pro
 lection against ire at all points.