The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-10-14
COUNCIL FIRE
COMMITTEE IN
REPORT MADE:
SOUNDS Note
Does Not Favor Hiring of Out
side Chief for Fire
Department
LACK OF COOPERATION
GREAT TROUBLE CAUSE
Firemen Buy Own Coats and
Do Other Things That j
Are Necessary e
LACK OF COOPERATION
GREAT TROUBLE CAUSE

pointed to meet with the fire depart
ment and Investigate certain mat
ters concerning the department made
its report Monday night to the city
council. -, The committee comprised
Alderman Barnell, chairman; Back
us, Palmer, Jones and Benner, and
in their report gave the following
explanation to their findings:
Committee Report.
"This committee, appointed at the
last council meeting to Investigate
certain matters concerning the fire
department report as follows:
1--WE do not recommend the hiring
Of an outside paid fire chief at this
time, as suggested, in view Of the
fact that the Bemidji fire department
is an entirely volunteer organization
and the employment Of chief from
another city would not only injure
it's efficiency, but would tend to dis
rupt the entire organization.
"We appreciate the necessity Of
fire risk inspection in the city and
believe that u chief could be obtained
locally who would be satisfactory
both to the council and the fire de-
partment, and whose: duties, I'm, ,addi-
tion to that of chief, would be to look
after the fire risks in Bemidji.
Lack of Cooperation.
1--WE find that there is considerable
lack of cooperation between the city
council and the fire department and
at a meeting of the fire department
at which members of this committee
were present considerable dissatis-
faction was expressed and the feeling
in that organization very apparent
due to the Indifference
on the part Of the council towards
them. One Of the causes Of this, and
the principal one seems to be that
supplies and equipment which are
necessary to efficiently fight fire, and
for which requisition has been made
to the city clerk, have not been fur
nished, and the fire department has ;
either been forcd to ct along without
them or else buy the things them
selves
Ordered-Not Provided.
''Some of the items which we re-
fer to which have been ordered and
not received are:
Chemicals-There is at present only
)ne charge of acid on hand for the
chemical engine.
Acid cOntainer-This was lost at
! recent fire and requisitiion for
lew one was made Immediately.
Chemical engine is Handicapped to less
han half efficiency without it.
100 ft.1-2" rope.
100 IT. 3-S" wrecking cable.
Six hydrant wrenches.
Ten hose spanners.
Six pike poles.
Ten hose holders for ladders.
Six ak handles.
Three gas masks.
Thirty-six coats.
What Bows" Paid For.
"some of the equipment that has
'een purchased and paid for by the
Ire department is:
Coats, boots, hats, bath tub and
oilet and water connections, beds
md bedding and two gas masks.
"Bemidji is proud Of it's fire de-
)artment and we have boasted Of it's
'fficiency and it is only recently that
his agitation has been started to be-
title this department. The reason
or this is not entirely apparent to
his committee at this time, but we
re loath to believe that this equip
nent and these supplies have been
for no other reason than
O handicap and discredit the fire.
lighters.
I'VE recommend that this report
'e accepted by the council as a re-
luisition for such supplies as have
lot been received and that they be
Immediately"
When Alderman Benner finished
eading the report to the council, it
vas noted that several members of
he fire department were present and
hey were asked by Alderman Bar
lell to give vent to their opinions,
Ifter City Clerk Stein had asserted
hat when a requisition for fire de-
'artment supplies had been allowed
~ the council no one consulted him
ls to what was needed and of what
'rand and grade. He stated he
NM Do oh