The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-08-02

repair shop. Money Is available for
the purchase of pumping engtnS 70
replace one steamer, 1900 feet of
IL inch hose is ordered and $4,000
is to be spent for minor equipment.
The chief has recommended the
purchase of a ladder truck, a pump
ing engine and a hose wagon to be
placed in reserve, the purchase of
900 feet of 1-2-inch hose, and in
creasing the manual strength of out
lying companies. The city is contem-
plating the erection of a modern re-
pair shop in the vicinity Of Engine
to handle the repairs of all City
equipment, to be under the control of
the fire department.
Improvements already made COM
ply with Recommendations IA and IT
and partly with accommodations II
and Is of the 1912 report.
Conclusions.
The fire department is a well or
ganized, strong and efficient force,
under supervision Of bipartisan
rected by experienced officers; finan
cial support is liberal. Appointments
and promotions are properly proba-
tionary for six months, but entrance
requirements are not sufficiently re-
strictive and are not always adhered
to. A pension fund is provided but
there is no compulsory age limit sex
for retirement. The manual strength
of the department has been increased,
mainly on account of the installation
of additional companies and the two
platoon system; day strength is am
pie and night strength is only slight
ly deficient. Discipline is generally
good. Company drills are regularly
held, but no drill tower has been pro-
vided and there is no systematic
course of drills. Distribution of COM
panies is good, having been improved
in all sections by motorizaton anT
in outlying districts by the additional
engine and ladder companies; chemi-
cal protection is excellent. Apparatus
is mostly new and in good condition.
Engine capacity is ample, and crews
are generally efficient. The supply of
2 n inch hose is ample, well cared
for and regularly tested; no 3-inch
hose is provided. Provisions for pro-
viding fuel at stations and at fires
are fairly good. Minor equipment is
fairly complete but heavy stream APP
pliances are slightly inadequate. The
repair shop is well equipped and eff
ficiently managed, but the quarters
are cramped.
The response to box alarms is well
arranged and strong in most cases
but the response to telephone alarms
is often Inadequate.
Fire methods are mainly good and
the prevention of water damage is
well understood; more use could be
made of heavy stream appliances on
serious fires. Inspections of buildings
by the fire force and the fire pre-
vention bureau are frequent, but re-
suits are only fair. Reports and rec
ords are complete and kept in con-
venient form.
The Firemen's Relief Fund is sup
ported by donations, 2 per cent
| tax on members salaries, and funds
from the city treasury if needed tc
make up any deficiency. Members
! contracting sickness or injury in the
service receives full pay. Widows ant
dependent members of families also
receive pensions. The state compensa
| ton act provides that 500 shall be
paid toward the funeral expenses o.
! deceased members, and the widow OF
| dependent mother shall receive from
| SIS to $40 weekly for 512 weeks; the
| continuous pension is not opera tive
| during this period. Twenty-Five me1
are between SO and SIS years of age,
| between SIS and 60 and one is owe
so years of age.
| INSTRUMENTATION.
There are 10 engine, 2 ladder,
| chemical, 1 combined ladder an
chemical and 2 combined engine AM
| ladder companies in service, at 1
stations. See Table 5. Each compan,
! has a captain and a lieutenant, an,
each engine company an engineer an
assistant engineer. Eight of the en-
CINE companies have automobile hos
wagons in addition to the pumpin
engine carrying hose.
Maintenance.
| The fire force, including the as
sistant chiefs, is divided into tw
equal p1atoons. The platoons work 1
and IA hours, changing twice
month, at which time one platoo
works "a hours. The platoon off dut
may be called when needed, must re
spond to all second or greater alarm
and give l day each month for in
! spection purposes; the off platoon
called by whistles. During this inspec
: ton a heavy fall of snow made ,tra1
fic conditions severe; both platoon
5 were in quarters for consecutiv
days and the response of the secon
, platoon at a second alarm fire we
r 80 per cent. of full strength. Strengt
t of companies is low at night No Va
cations are given under this system
Men of equal rank are held to cove
Q vacancies in the relieving platoo
, | Men must secure the permission
E the chief to leave town, and only
S limited number from any compar
t or district may. be absent at one tim
n Distribution.
t Two engine, one ladder and OF
chemical company are located with
the congested value district; three a.
e ditional engines are within the 1
r mile and the entire department
d within 2 miles of this district tt
southwestern manufa curing distri
is within l mile of four engine, Oh
s chemical and two ladder companie
s Important sections have an engil
/ company within IL mile and a la
e der within "a mile. Residential X.
j. tricts are within "a mile of an e
= CINE company and 1 IA miles of
Re ladder company; chemical protecti'
e is good in all sections. Distribute
e has been improved since the last r
d port by establishing additional e
$ CINE and 2 ladder companies in OF
living districts and by eCuiDDin0