New Britain herald., 1922-05-17
Need For This and Ad- ditional Equipment Ex- pIained In Annual Re- port to Mayor
Important Recommenda- tions for Prevention of Fires Are Also Contained in Statement.

The board of fire commissioner rs in It's annual report. copy of which was given Mayor A. M. Paonessa b, Chairman E. Hjerpe this morning recommends that steps be taken tc provide for some way by which the two platoon system for the fire de- partment can be put into effect. al once.
 Policy Changed.
 This recommendation comes as a complete reversal of the boards view on the question of two platoon plan. it having twice declined 10 rec ommend that money so appropriated be expended for the platoon plan Members also submitted messages to the council advocating a deferring of action on the proposition.
 The necessity of an additional com bination pump chemical and hose is brought out as is the boards desire to have a drill tower provided for the department.
 Wants Two Platoon.
 In part, the report follows:
 A year dSO yOuT reported that the city had accepted the two-platoon system. This did not materialize, however, and we are today in the same position in this respect as year ago. This is re- grettable. From observance and study of the fire department systems of many cities, this board is still of the opinion that the two- platoon is the only just and humane system. N,sn who are restricted to the fire houses Fl hours day, we believe, cannot be as good fire fighters as if they are confined for only half that time. The long confinement wears on the morale of the men; it keeps them away from their families and from recreation and social cnjoyments, and is not humani- tartan as we understand the word toda@k ....,..,.
 Bridgeport Approves
 Your chairman asked the Chief of the fire department of Bridgeport, Conn.,, how the work of the men com pared, now that they have the two- platoon system. with the work before the two-platoon system was put into effect
 There is no comparison was his answer The work is so much better that the department does not seem like the same department. but like a new one.'
 This is only one quotation from many Your commissioners earnest ly recommend that your honorable body will provide some way in which the two- platoon system can be put into effect at once.
 During the year new seven pas senger Buick automobile had been purchased to be used by the chief.
 Need of Equipment.
 We respectfully request your earn est consideration of the necessity oi an additional combination pump chemical and hose. Only two weeks ago one of the bumpers broke down and we had nothing to replace it with. Had big fire arisen during the five days this machine was in repair it might have cost the city many times the cost of bumper. The old bumpers need overhauling, but we have no extra apparatus to take the place of any taken off for repairs.
 If new bumper to replace others was purchased. and place provided where repairing could be done, it would not cost the city anything for repairing the old apparatus except for parts. as we have competent master mechanic that is both willing and capable to do the work.
 Your board of fire commissioners included in their budget an item for repairing the small building adjoin- ing No. 2 engine house for a work to the immediate necessity of such a workshop and hope it can be pro- vided this coming year.
 Want Drill Tower.
 We strongly advocate the build ing of a drill tower. During the past year the drilling of the men has been somewhat neglected. To keep up tho efficiency of the department, regular drilling should be had. We believe the construction of drill tower should not be delayed longer.
 "The first prevention bureau is do ing a needed work in a satisfactory manner. We recommend hearty CO., operation in the work"
 Deputy Chief E. F. Barnes, who di- rects the work of the fire prevention bureau calls attention to the work be- ing handled by that department. Four recommendations are made, namely: That all buildings of more than three family houses be required 10 build rear staircases of iron frame work: plans for incinerators in the new buildings in the mercantile dis trict be required; public buildings such as theaters, schools. churches, hotels, apartment houses. hospitals and homes for children be required to provide a sprinkling system in boil CT rooms on any part of building that might be of a hazardous nature, ard that ,heaters be required to have sorirlicrs overhead and under the a,ag..
 1,td0 Inspections.
 Dr.grs tho year 32 fire escapes were er.c.c,l. three exit doe'rs were changed