The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-24

w. A. Alen; combination hose wagon.
 No. 1S, captain. Y. W. Hughes; ripple combination pump.
 No. If, 119 Eighth avenue; captain, J. r. Lloyd; combination pump.
 No. Is, captain, B. o. Hargrove, com bination pump.
 No 16, city hall. Ensley; captain. J. H. Tetlaw; triple combination pump.
 No IT, Wylam; captain, D. P. Page; combinatio nwagon
 No. Is, 30Oa Second avenue; captain, w. NJ. Bondurant; combination wagon. {, No. 19, 112 South Twenty seventh street; captain, c. q. McFarlin; triple combination pump.
 70 No 20, Fairview; captain, l.. H. Nor ris; one combination wagon
 ALARM SYSTEM
 The alarms system is the same that is used in all large cities. There are ei alarm boxes in Birmingham proper so set with a clock and gong-like device on the wall of every fire station tha, when an alarm is turned in, the gong sounds in every station and registers the numbers of the stations called out
 All phones of the department are struns on one line, so that every call turned in is taken by every fire station at the same time If the call is in number ones territory, the man on watch writes the street and number on a blackboard, turns it outward towards the fire wagon and pushes a button which rings the gong. In less time than a snowbali would melt in Hades the men come slid ing down the poles. cord is pulled, re leasing the doors and the men are oil to another piece of heroic work ana rescue.
 CHIEF MIDDLETON
 Chief s. A. Middleton, who has been at the head of the fire department sino August 1, 1914 has headquarters at Fire station No. 1, situated at the city hall Chief Middleton answers every call turned in whether No. is called out or not, and takes the lead among the fire fighters from all stations. The car shown with his picture is kept at No. for that purpose. that he might attend every fire. day or night Chief Middleton has been in charge of the department and some great things have been done under his supervision since that time. We were fortunate in securing Middleton as chief'' said one of the commissioners. "He has made us one of the best chiefs that we have ever had and he deserves great credit for the splendid work of the department during his administration
 Capt J. l.. Akin, first assistant fire CHlCls was ICCCutiy 0PpOAilCu tO LII tAo vacancy made by the sad death of Chief W. P. Walton. Chief Akin has been with the department for the past IS years.
 Following the promotion of Chief Akin. Chief J. S. Summers, formerly captain of station No 1. was appointed second assistant fire chief. Chief Summers is also an able and efficient fireman and has been connected with the department for the past 20 years.
 Many instances of personal heroisn and courage come to light In looking up the record of the department, of which they are justly proud. But many of them have strange yea, an unnatural aver sion to be put in the paper" and some times many weeks will elapse before some such incident comes to light.
 PERSONNEL OF DEPARTMENT
 The total personnel of the department numbers 133 men, all tried and true. Many of them are young boys, just old enough to get on the force, but instilled with per and speed and are making an enviabls record for efficiency.
 The mascot shown in the picture, all though just a "pudp,' has learned the fifemen's duties and when the gong is now sounded. the dog is one of the first to board the wagon.
 A few figures are given as shown on the record since the year of 1915, that taking into consideration the size of the city, speak for themselves. The records show that from that date up to the pres- ent time. over 10507 alarms have beer answered. The value of property at ris' in 1915 was $S15,629 and the loss was A2G.- 472 1916: Risks E, ,864: loss. $571, ,024 1915 Risks, $17.2zS, ,85S; loss. $675. .699.
 [ Commissioner John H. Taylorh who makes the appointments in the fire de. partment. in alludipg to the department said recently: The local fire depart mept Is the most efficient and most thor, oughly organized unit in the city machin. cry The department has the right lead ership and each member of the organiza- ton is thoroughly fitted to, and capable of the work to which they are assigned Our fire inspectors report that tho conditions of the department are mos favorable and that a munimum of dan eerous fires is maintained through thu vigilance and promptness of the depart. An