Putnam patriot., 1923-01-19
DAMAGE BY FIRE
 IN 1922 IS S17,OOO
Chief Thurston Reports Com paratively Small Loss Dur
 ing Past Year
Many Chimney Fires-chief Urges
 New Fireproof Headquarters


 Many Chimney Fires.-Chief Urges
 New Fireproof Headquarters
 Total damage by fires in Putnam the past year amounted to little more than S17.000. according to the annual report of Fire Chief Ralph E. Thurs ton. just presented to Mayor Chapde- laine and the common council. In his report Chief Thurston also states that there was a total of 30 alarms for fire. 52 of which were chemical calls, 20 box alarms, seven out-oftown calls, and one personal call-the latter be- ing q case where person stepped up to the chief and told him that his chimney was ablaze and needed the fire apparatus to quench the flames.
 In reviewing the year just closed, Chief Thurston states: We were of valuable assistance in two out-of-town calls during the year. The most seri- ous call was from the Pomfret School on Feb 20, 1922. At this fire we used No 1 Truck and the entire length of hose and pumped for nearly two hours. Had we not been able to do this, the entire main building would have been destroyed.
 Protect Out of Town Property
 At the other out-of-town fires We were able only to protect surrounding property, as we were unable to pro- cure sufficient water supply to do any material good.
 At this time l would like to recom- mend to your serious consideration, the addition of four strokes to call the hook and ladder company. This piece of apparatus is being used for every telephone call when the alarm is for a chimney fire.
 T would also recommend that ad- ditional fire alarm boxes be placed in the following locations: At the east erly end of School street. near the Dam Tavern; on South Main street, near the new houses at the further end; at the Arch street bridge and vicinity of the fair grounds; adjacent to the Little River bridge.
 Suggests Fire Proof Building
 T also think that you should give the matter of a fire proof building for your fire headquarters serious con sideration. If you remember, on March 20 there was an attempt to burn this building. Had this attempt been successful you would have lost your fire alarm system This matter of putting the fire alarm system in q fire proof building is receiving the consideration in nearly every town. While we have not yet had trouble with our fire alarm circuit due to the insertion of tappers, l think we are very faulty in the operation of our system, with so important d system having loops run into the different houses. This system. to me, should be entirely independent of the box wiring system and should be run from the relay to fire headquarters.
 At present we have but 1900 feet of spare hose It seems to me that we should have at least 2000 feet of hose on hand at all times in order that we may refill our trucks with dry hose. Therefore, I recommend the purchase of not less than 800 feet of new hose"
 Many Facts Are Recorded
 Chief Thurston's report contained a tabled summary of fires that have visited the city in the past year, the value of buildings and contents. dam ages done, insurance carried and in- surance paid. In it's present form this table IS an innovation in Putnam fire chiefs reports.
 The value of buildings in which there were fires, the chief states, amounted to S75. .S70. The damage done to buildings amounted to $l0.- 9s047, and to contents s6,027.16- total. s17.G0763. Insurance carried on these buildings and contents amounted to $53,475. and the insur- anee paid was as follows: For dam age to buildings. S9. .703.s4; to con tents, S6,027 16-total, Sl5,73l
 Department Has o4 Men
 Mir. Thurston further advises that the fire department now consists of ca officers and men, and he furnishes an inventory of property held by the entire city department. He lists the location of 23 fire alarm boxes and states that there are now l0l city fire hydrants and 20 private ones, all of which have been tested and are be- lieved to be in good condition.
 The annual payroll of the depart ment is listed as follows: Chief En- gineer, $500; assistant chiefs (2), S200; superintendent of alarms. $200 {; Hose Company No. l, Sl,i9l.21; Hose Company No. 2. s749.12; Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, s647.4i; fire police, S60; total, s3,347.74.
 TO GIVE CONCERT