Arizona republican., 1919-10-03
FIRE CHIEF ASKS
 FUR ERECTION OF
 NEW SUB STATION

The erection of a new fire station on the north side has been recom- mended to the city administration by W. D. Simmons, fire chief. He ad vises the addition as a necessity for the proper fire protection of that sec ton of the city. He suggests that it be equipped with a 500-gallon triple combination car. The addition of six more men to be placed at the three fire stations now being maintained is also urged by the chief, who says:
 "The addition of these men would permit of a much wider scope in fire prevention work. l would suggest that four of them be assigned to the cen tral station and one each at No. and No. 3 station. At the present time the department is well equipped to fight fires, but not in position to give the most efficient service in fire prevention"
 As another step toward fire preven- ton, Chief Simmons has recommended the appointment Of a fire inspector teX-officio fire marshall to investi- gate causes of fire. and prosecute case. of arson. inspect schools, theaters hotels and public buildings.
 Other improvements suggested for the fire department by the chief in his report of the fiscal year ending June 30 1919, which he has just com pleted, are:
 The purchase of a 65-foot aerial truck with complete equipment in- cluding life net, for the central sta tion. The purchase of a three way deluge set to be carried on the bumper The renting of the Seagraves fire truck at Mesa for one year and the overhauling of three Seagrave's now in service. That the city consider the two platoon system for the depart ment. That fire plugs be installed tC take care of new buildings and that 1000 feet of new hose be purchased.
 According to the report submitted the fire department during the fisca year of 1918 and 1919 has cost the city S3S.254.7S, the biggest item of this ex pense being the salaries amounting tt S3SO6651
 The largest fire during the year wa the Union Oil company, whose esti mated loss was $151,000. However thi fire was outside the city limits ant not included in the report. Tn BabbittPolson company sustained tn heaviest fire loss in the city when thei warehouse and contents, valued a S55, 900 burned.
 The total fire loss of buildings an, contents during the fiscal year wa S2,l5S,S9O. Of this amount S991, ,25 was covered by insurance, leaving loss to the owners of $69,24
 Although a casual glance at thi Tire loss may seem heavy, a compara tive report shows that during the las fiscal year the fire loss was $2.16 De capita while in the year 1914 it wa SS.42' and for the fiscal year 1917-1I the per capita loss was S22O
 Children with matches cause eighteen fires during the year and fir teen were caused by short circuit, Bon fires fall third in the number C known causes with a total of clever During the year there were PIP alarm, l59 of which were fires, 53 false an seven outside the city.
 We have been aided by citizens our endeavor to reduce the fire loss, the chief said in commenting on in report, and urge them to continue { keep their. places clean of rubbish an inflammable material. The clean-u day set for october 9 is bound to be ( immeasurable value toward protectin the city from fires"
 Chief Simmons said one of tn greatest handieaps the fire departmer bad to contend with in making a ru was the careless motorist and for h benefit the chief issued the followin "don'ts"
 Don't fail to draw up to the cur and stop when you hear fire engin, or trucks approaching.
 Don't crowd in behind the fire al paratus.
 Don't drive over fire or chemic hose.
 Don't forget you endanger yourse as well as the firemen when you dii regard these traffic regulations"