The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-19
ANOTHER COMPANY
At WEST END IS.
AM 0 N C REQUESTS.
Chiefs Recommendations
Urge Necessity of New Hy-
drants and Other Fire
Apparatus

The location of new fire station
on Thirty-first street, between upper
and lower Highland avenue, the in
stallation Of another fire company at
the West End station, the addition
of some so men to the fire fighting
force of the city, and the purchase
of new hydrants and other apparatus
are embodied in recommendations
placed on the desk of each of the
city commissioners yesterday by
Chief S. A. Middleton.
The erection OF a station on Thirty
first street, between upper and lower
Highland avenue. is urged by Chief
Middleton, because there Is much
valuable property In this district and
the nearest station is about two miles
away" He recommends that the sta
ton be equipped with motor pump
and manned by eight men. one cap
tain and one lieutenant
Life and Property Endangered
The installation OF an extra fire
company at the West End station. to
be CHARTERED with Company No. Is,
Elyton street. south. Is urged on the
ground that this Ia thickly popu-
lated district, and the nearest com
pany available, when the present one
at the West End station is out on
g run, is three miles distant. Life
and property are thereby endangered,
he declares. A combination chemical
and hose wagon and a force OF SIX
men, one captain, and one lieuten-
ant. are recommended for the new
company.
Additions to tho present fire force
of the city are recommended as FOL
lows:
Recommended Additions
Eight men, one captain, and one
lieutenant, to operate the eighty-foot
aerial hook and ladder truck now at
central headquarters.
Two men for water tower at CEN
trail headquarters.
Eight men, one captain and one
lieutenant, to operate the 60O-g gallon
Seagrave pump at Station No. 10,
Ensley.
Eight additional men for Avondale.
East Birmingham. Graymont aad
Fairview. These stations, according
to Chief Middleton. have only three
men on each shift. the number being
insufficient to handle the apparatus.
Eight substitutes to be on hand to
answer all fires with the assistant
chiefs when not filling the places of
regular firemen. It is recommended
that these men be put on regular
salary of $50 per month.
Hydrant Inspector
One hydrant inspector and one
helper, who shall be furnished with
one Ford truck. Since the city has
taken over all the hydrants in
Greater Birmingham, 1t is apparent
that one man cannot take care of
the situation satisfactorily. he says.
The addition of one story to the
present one-story building at Gray
mont Is recommended, this building
to be used as a fire station. The
present fire station is larger than is
needed, he states, and 1t is recon-
mended that 1t be rented out.
An appropriation for the remodel
ing of fire station No. Is asked.
This station. Avenue D and Nine
teenth street, Is in q dilapidated con-
dition, according to the fire author
tiles.
Recommendations for apparatus
are:
Apparatus Requested
THAT 100 fire helmets be bought
The firemen are badly in need of
these helmets, as a good many of the
men are without helmets. none hav-
ing been bought in seven years.
THAT rs street flusher connections
be installed (near hydrants) at a
cost of approximately 500 each. 1t
is impossible to keep hydrants In
good repair where the street flusher
uses them We find good many of
them out of commission when needed
during fire.
"Seventy-five new fire hydrants to
be installed where needed. (This
number includes the ones already
ordered but not installed.)
THAT two old Fords be traded in
for new cars.
Appropriation of $4,000 for the
purchase and installation of fire
alarm boxes"
$1,000 Expense Account
An allowance of $4,000 a month for
expense account is also contained in
the recommendation made to the city
commissioners.
Chief Middleton strongly urges that
these recommendations be complied
with as near as possible, especially
those relating to the erection OF a
rev fire station on Thirty-first
street, the installation of another fire
company at West End, a force to
operate the S5-foot aerial ladder at
central headquarters and men 70
operate the Seagrave pump at tns
Ensley station. Chief Middleton DC
clares that the development of the
fire department is not keeping pace
with the growth of the city.
These recommendation will prob
ably come up for consideration when
the budget for the coming year is