The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-04-30

tneS6 HreS Liza gdllOnS Oh CnemlcdAS
and five pyrenes were used. A total of
612 feet of ladders were raised. The
department was actually engaged In
fighting fires a total of seventytwo
hours during the year. The total fire
loss during the year just passed was
$91, 161,S1, which was fully covered by
insurance. (
Expenses Of Department.
The running expenses of the year
totaled $13, 1880, including salaries,
oil paints, electric light and power,
etc. Betterments added to the depart
ment; consisting of remodeling the
much needed equipment totaled ST.
S09.14, making grand total Of $15,-
002.44. Deducting S566.7S. the amount
received from the sale Of old appara-
tus, from the grand total makes the
net cost of the department for the
year $14,435.66.
Betterments For The Year.
"During the year just closed, a
number of betterments were made in
the department. Most important a
mong was completing the motoriza
Station.
THE horse drawn city service lad
der truck was replaced by motor
aerial truck.
1.-THE horse drawn hose wagon was
replaced by a motor hose truck noun
ting turret nozzle. The body of this
apparatus was built and finished by
firemen.
A Ford chassis was also supplied
with body, and work was done by the
firemen.
Smoke masks, service helmets,
lungmotor, first aid, and other equip
ment were also added to the appara-
tuS.
THE horse drawn city service lad
der truck was provided with a draw
bar and placed in Station No. 3 one
horse drawn hose wagon was placed
in reserve in Station No. 3, and ,the
other in reserve in shed at rear of
Central Station.
1.-The obsolete hand drawn appara
tus was disposed of at auction, as 1t
ment.
The Central Station was remodeled
to accommodate the new apparatus, and
stable converted into shop and drill
room, and storeroom.~ Work of remod
cling was done by the firemen.
"One man was added to the paid
force at the Central Station.
"A school of instruction for firemen
was established, and regular drills
consisting of physical culture .exer.,
cises, rescue and first aid work and
the handling of fire fighting. tools,
apparatus and equipment, are held
daily by the paid men and weekly by
the volunteers.
"A running card was established, to
govern the response to alarms by the
various companies and apparatus.
1.-TWO dozen service helmets and six
beds were donated to the department
ky the Mankato Fire Department Re-
lief association.
Number of Recommendations
ITO maintain the efficiency of the
department, it is necessary to replace
worn out equipment, etc., from time
to time, and to make additions and
extentions as are demanded by the
growth OF the city and the scope of
the department.
Therefore, / wish to recommend
that five hundred feet of double jack
ct fire hose be purchased as soon as
possible, in order to replace old hose
which is no longer safe for use.
Also, that Q fire alarm transmitter
be purchased at once, and installed at
the Central Station in connection with
Fire Alarm Telegraph. This will make
it possible to call out the volunteers
without delay, when they are needed;
and send them to localities where
are no fire alarm boxes. without going
to the expense Of purchasing and in
stalling such boxes.
"Also, that two more men be added
to the paid force, to make it possible
to handle the apparatus properly and
get it to fires during meal hours; and
also make it possible to maintain a
satisfactory inspection system.
ALSO, that certain extensions be
made to the water mains as soon as
practical; so that hydrants may be
located in certain districts and the
property owners there receive better
protection. There should be several
hydrants located on James Ave-, in
Tinkcomville; hydrant at either
and Broad; and hydrant at the Fair
Grounds.
"Also a modern building code, sat
isfactory to the National Board of
Fire Underwriters, and an electrical
ordinance CONSTANT with the require
ments of the National Electrical Code,
should be adopted.
The fact that sixteen inch fire
main in the alley between Front and
Second streets. through the business
district together with more paid men
cure a substantial reduction in insur-
ance rates; should not be lost sight
of. Proper building and electrical
codes, strictly enforced, are also ne
cessary to secure low insurance rates.
I'm conclusion / wish to thank
Councilman Mahowald for the inter
est shown, and the work done in ord
er to place the department on a more
efficient basis. And to Mayor Waters
and Councilmen Hammett, Olsen, and
Steiner, l also extend my thanks for
the cooperation which was glen.
81 also thank the police for the as
sistance rendered the department at
various times.
81 thank the Hubbard Milling COM
pany for their valuable service in
maintaining and operating the fire
whistle; without which 1t would be
impossible to summon the volunteer
members of the Department, prompt
ly. This service is rendered free of
charge to the City.
"To assistants, Fallenstein and An
dersen, and to each officer and man
in the entire Department; ! extend
my thanks for the good work done,
and the cooperation and kind feeling
extended to me during the year.
"And to the press, and the public
in general, return my thanks for the
support to the department. Respect
fully submitted, Ben E. Bangerter,
chief Mankato fire dana rtmenf"