New Britain herald., 1917-05-25
Board of Public Safety Makes Last Report Under Present System Many Im- provements Suggested.

police and fire departments for the 1 past year, was made today. This Il probably the last report board o1 public safety will ever make in Nov Britain as the departments willl be under separate heads in the future The report follows:
 New Britain, Conn.,, April l. 1917. To the Mayor and Members of the Common Council,
 City of New Britain.
 Gentlemen: The Board of Public Safety respectfully begs leave to pre- sent herewith it's annual report for the fiscal year. 1916-1917.
 Fire Department.
 The efficiency of the ire depart- ment was well tested on the night ct February .21, 1917. The quick suc- cession of the fires tried the endur- ance of the members of the depart ment and to a man every one proved his ability and loyalty. That citizens arc ready and willing to aid in emer- gency was demonstrated. The ava.I- ability of factory fire departments and their value as an auxiliary was proved. The. effectiveness of the m ter-city mutual protection vas brought into practice. The cities f Hartford. Waterbury and Bristol and the town of PlainviIle responde l quickly to calls for aid with apparatus and men The city of Now Britata has cause for gratitude over tho re- suits obtained on the night in qucs- tion.- %
 New Britain is lacking in eon!p- ment to cope with big fires or a few e. ~~lv Sn present aerial truck should be re-, placed with motor driven piece If apparatus Aerials, as such. are not often required but when they are the need is urgent and should be promp;. Ladders are required at practically all fires and . city of New Britain's size should have more than one mo CT ladder truck. The ladder equipmeEt now in service is all north of tho tracks and dangerous delays on ac- count of the railroad tracks arc liable to occur.
 Five combination trucks-two triple combinations, pump. chemical and hose; one junior pump of 300 gal- Ions capacity, chemical and hose: and two double combinations. chemical and hose, are insufficient for a city of 5000. I The city should have two or three more pieces Of equipment. The Ap- pAratus could be installed in nov existing houses and as new stations are built they could be assigned to new stations. In the meantime the | city would have tho protection through the additional equipment. Steps of progress in the equipment Of the department were made during 1 the year. Two 750 pumps, chemical ] and hose trucks and a junior pump of 15e gallon capacity, chemical ard hose, were added. The use of three inch hose was introduced and 1t is I proposed to further increase the de- l partment's equipment with it. Con- l siderable worn hose was replaced Turret pipes were installed: cellar
 and distributor noxzles have beer
 added to the equipment: new life
 net and two self rescuers were pur. chased Additional Improvement
 are contemplated.
 A master mechanic has been desig
 mated and the care and repair O.
 cars is placed in his hand. The ~e
 pair department has been furnishe, with necessary tools for ordinar. work. Through this medium we ex pect the upkeep of cars will be bette and 1ess expensive.
 The permanent force of the depart
 ment was increased by fourteen nev
 men during the year.
 Electrical Department. An assistant electrical inspector ha entered upon his duties in the cleo | trical department. He will wor
 with the superintendent and take hi
 place during temporary absence. \ number of new boxes are to be adde to the fire alarm system during tn summer and extensions and geners
 work contemplated indicate bus year. A work car for the electfics department was purchased and re built by members of the fire depart
 ment.
 | Police Department. The growth of motor vehicle trad
 has multiplied the duties of the ps lice department. New problems al
 constantly presenting themselves ar
 this feature of work requires speci
 care and consideration. We beg leave to subscribe Q,
 hearty approval to the plan propose | by Mayor Quigley for the utilixatic ! of the Hurritt school for a poll | headquarters and we urge that Il | necessary steps be taken to carry tn plan into effect. Such change VI | be beneficial to the Ire departme | also. It will also give the To | court surroundings which will b. | conformity with the dignity 1t shou have.
 | A large increase in the force of re
 ular patrolmen was made during t!
 year.
 Improvement In equipment VI
 made by the purchase of hling cal
 inets for records and the nke. !
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