El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-26
FL PASO FIREMEN CHECK 300 FIRES.
BEFORE THEY GETASTART IN 1917.
Local Firefighters "Beat Fire to IT, and Keep the
Losses at Minimum; Fire Losses in 1917 Less Than
S4OOOOO Including the Big Sash and Door
Factory Loss of $218,865.

F 469 fires 10 which members
OF the local force made runs
- during 1917. approximately sos
flames were forced by chemical ex-
tinguishers 30 "die a bornin.'" The
value Of buildings and contents TO
which runs were made. aggregated
s5.0s2,s75 and losses totaled not
quite 100000. OF this amount Of
losses. one fire-that OF the FL sash
& Door company-contribute q loss
Of S216,865. Even including the loss
or this exceptional fire. the percent
OF loss for the year is very low com
pared 10 like records of other cities
the size Of FL PasO. Excellent ser
vice in fire fighting and systematic
prevention Of fires within the city has
entitled FL Paso to a key rate OF Is
cents for fire insurance, the cheap
est enjoyed by any city in Texas.
The significant thing about the
city's fires for the last three years
is that each succeeding year greater
numbers Of fires have been promptly
nipped before they got a start an, ana
that the number OF fires IN when
considerable damage has been done
have been on the decrease
During 1915, S07 runs were made
by firemen; there were 416 runs dur
ing 1916, while in 1917 the number
was swelled to 46s. The value OF
buildings and contents concerned in
1915 fires was S4.501. 1882, with a
loss sustained OF 7s,712.55; in 1916
corresponding figures ran to property
value Of S4.455,S57.0e. with loss OF
S2s4 .s53.IS; 1917 shows property value
OF s5.0S2,615 with a loss nearing
$500, 200, the exact amount for the
month OF December not being avail
able until all losses have been ad-
5usted- Figures show that what are
termed "big fires" by the depart
ment have shown material decrease
during 1917 over the number Of 1916.
as the number IN 1915 was also less
than the preceding one
Insurance Rate Decreases.
Constantly growing activities in
business and manufacturing districts.
as well as increasing population in
residence sections, make chances OF
TRES greater each succeeding year,
yet the efficiency OF the local de-
city's growth that the insurance rate
has been constantly becoming lower.
Department Motorized.
Strictly modern motor apparatus,
daily fire drills introduced by chief
John W Wray under guidance Of the
departments most experienced fire
fighters. and a pride taken by every
member OF the department to beat
a fire to it." has produced in FL
PasO fire department equalled by
Few systems in the United States
Prevention first" is the slogan OF
the department and no detail that
ADDS TO the prevention Of fires has
been neglected All official depart
ments OF the city unite IN work TO
this aid, strict attention being given
10 all wiring Of buildings, provision
for plentiful number Of water plugs
and an abundance Of water.
Speed and experience are the great
est elements that have made the local
1iTemen more than ordinarily sue
cessfuL They have been trained to
be always on their toes for a race
and TO get into action without loss
OF time when they arrive on the
scene Of fire The latter does not
consist by any means Of merely know