Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-14
UNDERWRITERS
CENSURE FIRE
DEPARTMENT
CONTINUED From Page One.)

tIlatfon, use Of standpipes and sprinklers
and operation Of bumpers. The recently
inaugurated company drills, under
trained drill master, viii improve con-
ditions, but effective fire service can not
be expected unless regular and systematic
drills are held at a properly equipped
tower. with special courses for new men
and for officers" (since the report was
prepared erection of d fire tower has been
started at fire headquarters-)
@Third, the undermining Of companies
in high value districts, where practically
all engine and ladder companies are de-
ficient in strength in the daytime and
three men short at night, from mini
mum believed necessary for efficient IRE
duty. The effectiveness of motor equip
ment, with its greater range Of operation,
more carrying capacity, and greater ease
Of operation, makes it possible to elimt-
nate some Of the existing companies,
which are unnecessarily closely grouped,
and TO better man the others without an
increase in total maintenance cost.
'In some other minor features the de-
partment is subject to criticism; the
running card is in need Of revision; in
crease in repair shop facilities is de-
sirable, and some stations are in need Of
arrangement and repair.
NUMBER OF
COMPANIES AMPLE.
'The total number Of companies is
ample, and all sections except the ex-
IRENE northern part OF the city have COM
panies within reasonable running dis
lance; chemical service has been much
improved. The general condition or
equipment is good, as most Of it is new
H.
amount of hose is sufficient AMI the re-
cent purchase Of three-inch hose is along
tAe right lines. Minor equipment is fair
complete and heavy and special stream
appliances are generally sufficient. Very
ereditable results are being accomplished
In Ere prevention"
In a section of the report upon the
subject Of operation" is the following
passage:
observations made during this In
spection indicated that there was too
much familiarity between officers and
men, proper Difference was not shown TO
superior officers, discipline was slack In
many houses and men and stations
generally presented an untidy appear
ance."
One passage under Operations" re-
fers TO the order issued after the dis
street and Central avenue near Twelfth
street Failure TO connect bumpers in
time caused a delay in getting the proper
amount OF water on the fire, the board
Of safety learned after investigation. The
board announced that it had found a
remedy fer this and ordered that there
after the first pumper TO a fire should
stop at q hydrant and get ready TO
throw water no matter how small the fire
looked
FIND ORDER NOT
FULLY ENFORCED.
The report of the underwriters encin-
GERS shows that despite the great
publicity given to the order at the time
It was issued it has not been completely
enforced. The passage bearing upon
this is as follows:
'The latest orders are for the first due
company to lay a line from the hydrant
to the fire and get ready to connect the
pump if hydrant pressure is not suffi-
Client; since hydrant hose gates are not
carried this necessitates shutting down
the hydrant; following companies con-
meet their engines and prepare to Oper-
ate. At a number Of alarms attended.
It was noted that all companies collected
Immediately in front Of the scene Of the
fire, no 21z Inch hose was laid and no
engine had stopped at a hydrant."
The underwriters engineers believe the
reliance placed upon pressure maintained
sy the Indianapolis Water Company to
be an inefficient practice at best, the re-
port indicates. 1t says:
Though all companies are now
equipped with steamers or automobile
bumpers, little use is made Of them. the
department still relying on hose lines
direct from hydrants and upon the waite
company raising pressure; during 1920
there were $3.50 alarms, an average Of
SO per day. Now that the department
bas sufficient number Of engines in
service, there should be no necessity for
raising pressures, and in q city the size
of Indianapolis the increase IN con
sumption rate and the liability Of fail
ure Of the mains at a critical time. con-
stitute good arguments against this
practice. Experience in this city is that
the fire department can respond and CON
meet the bumpers and have sufficient pres
sure for effective streams IN less time
than the water company can raise pres
sure Upon completion of a thorough
training Of crews. and after a sufficient
period during which bumpers are used,
the practice Of raising pressure for fires
could he discontinued"
have orders to use stiff suction hose in
the congested district and soft suctions
elsewhere at a second alarm fire in the
eongested district three engines were
noted using two and one half-inch soft
suction hose.
HOSE ROLLERS
NOT PROVIDED.
Hose lines usually are carried up
stairways in two and three story build
ings, and raised to higher stairways and
not been provided" continues the re-
port. "Steps are taken to ventiiate after
hose lines are made ready, but the i'm
stood. Few smoke protectors are pro-
vided and these have only been used
when ammonia gas is present"
The fact that the high officials of the
department are changed every time a new
mayor is elected is cited in the report.
1t also sets out that at the time the in
vestigation was made there were five
officers and seventeen prfvates over
50 years Of age and a total OF . per cent
of the force over 20.
Addition of PA men TO the force
through the installation Of the two
platoon system means that over one
third Of the force is inexperienced, the
report states. This condition has ma
ferially affected the efficiency OF the
department. Some steps are being token
to remedy this through the Introduction
Of drills and training at the various
fire stations, but there is no drill tower
and no provisions have been made for
Intensive training"