Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-12-24
Seattle, w ash.

eer:
Seattle, Wash,
December II, 1920.
Mr.. j. E. Hammond, Chairman Fire
and Water Committee of the
City Council, Pullman, Wash.
Dear Sir:
The undersigned recently made a
re-inspection of the public fire pro-
lection of Pullman. He called upon
you but did not have the pleasure of
making your acquaintance, as you
were absent at the time.
We respectfully bring the follow
ing matters to your attention, as you
are chairman of the committee hav-
ing charge of such matters, as we I'M
derstand it.
We recommend the purchase now
of at least 1000 feet of new and first
class 212 inch fire hose for use in
the public fire department. At least
four years have elapsed since any
such hose has been purchased. The
average age of the hose in the de-
partment is considerably older. Hose
more than five years old can not be
relied on under trying conditions OF
service considering the circum-
stances which have attended the hose
now in the Pullman fire department.
One of the circumstances is that the
hose has had but little use. AS you
are probably aware, such fact tends
to shorten rather than prOlOng the
life of fire hose.
In community of the value and
Importance of Pullman, we respect
fully point out that it would be good
policy to buy at least 500 feet Of first
class 12 Inch hose eyery'year. This
procedure, without imposing any
very large charge for that item upon
the budget, would tend by rotation
to keep up an average quantity Of
fire hose in service. OF course, re-
liable fire hose is of fundamental i'm
portance to public fire protection.
An adequate amount of good hose
would save many times its cost in
the protection of property in case of
a seriously threatened fire situation.
Another matter of importance. The
present location of the city pumping
station is open to serious objection;
a plant of its great Importance, hous-
ing, as it does, the pump furnishing
the sole water supply owned by the
municipality eve do not overlook the
availability of the small pump be-
and located on it's grounds, should
be better safeguarded, first against
fire, as from the burning of the eX
posing lumber warehouse (the brick
wall next to the pump house would
not suffice in all probability in case
of fire in that warehouse, if beyond
control, to protect the pump house,
and, secondly, is the distinct pOssibll-
ity of high water from the adjacent
creek which might put the pump out
of service We therefore recommend
that a new pumping station housing
that pump be located on proper
foundations of sufficient height ad-
joining the city hall; we understand
the municipality owns that land.
A municipality of the value and
importance of Pullman should have
duplicate pumping machinery OF the
capacity of the present pump. In case
of the disability of the latter, what
would the town rely on under stress
of circumstances? 1t is true that the
pump mentioned above as available
at the college could be used (proVld-
ed it was not required at the time Tor
college purposes deemed of more I'M
portance) but such an emergency
pump is distinctly inadequate in ca
pacity to meet a bad situation in Pull
man There can be no question IN
our opinion as to the need of duph-
cate pump of the capacity OF the one
now owned by the municipality Tor
use in case of emergency. Many
thousands of dollars worth OF prop
erty values obtain in Pullman within
range of a sweeping fire, should
such occur.
We understand that Pullman con
templates the purchase of a motor
driven fire wagon. In our judgment
such a wagon would not compare in
inheritance with the conditions
recommended above and this is the
proper time to respectfully state that
the introduction of such fire
wagon as that above referred to
would not have the effect of reducing
fire insurance rates in Pullman un-
less, of course, is were an approved
wagon and unless the municipality at
all times employs two regular fire.
men skilled in the handling of motor
fire apparatus, firemen who are con-
stantly on the job and who have no
other duties to perform. 1t would
also be necessary to supplement SUCH
a force with a good volunteer fire
organization, such as we understand
already obtains in Pullman. Expert
ence has shown the need of at least
two firemen on the job at all times.
II would not therefore suffice to ar
range to keep that motor fire wagon
without such employees so far as IRE
insurance rates are concerned, as IN
the Judgment and experience OF the
underwriters operating over wlde
territory, such wagon could not De