New Britain herald., 1928-05-08
z MORE F|REMEN
 0N NOBLE PROGRAM

UlV NUbLE PkUukAM
 (Contlnued from First Pasel and the master mechanic, a 15o- gallon bumper to replace the 25o gallon bumper at No. station. and a second aSsitant to the electrical superintendent to look after the po- lice signal system, are also mention d as desirable improvements for the system.
 Years Fire Damage S:64.f69.
 Chief Noble reports 4l9 alarms answered during the last fiscal year. io of which were false. Fire dam age was so64.1s9.36, with property 8, risk amounting to so,47a,675. Eight Berlin alarms were answered, for which the pension fund received a total of $500.
 Electrical Supermte ndeut George C. Cooley reports there was but one failurc in the alarm system, that NdAillS fttli bdLH'l i'N NbliiN 4l t.' with the trausmitter. which has since been rtmedied He is now ln- stalling boxes in l schools. It is his recommendation that the alarm transmitter be changed from mechanical to manual. This will re- quire three shifts of two men each. Clerk John J. Keosh reports the pension fund to have increased s9,- 1892 during the year. with dis bursements Of $l,o12.5o. making the present figure s45, ,56o. During the year the city appropriation was Sl,- 500. and the men paid in so,soS.Sl. which amounts 10 per cent Of their salaries.
 Fayors Merits on Drilling.
 Tn his report on drilling, Deputy Chief Eugene |. Barnes reports progress and suggests that a merit system be installed to stimulate in 'ers, in drills and to invite keener competition. Corporation from all officers is reported by the drillmas- ter.
 Deputy Chief M. T. souney lists eight buildings removed, II repair ed, 7s fire escapes changed, and 20,- o.1 inspections made in connection with his work in the fire prevention bureau. He is assisted i'll inspections by men who work one day week each while on the off shift. He recommends ordinances to control the use of highly inflammable acids . in mechanical refrigeration.
 Master Mechanic E. G. Burke spent 2.193 hours in the repair Of apparatus. he reports. Several of the machines were thoroughly o1er- hauled during the year.
 Among the causes of fire listed in the report of Chief Noble are: Grass. soot, cigarettes, bonfires, dump, rubbish, overloaded stove. auto, ashes, motor wire. spontaneous combustion, lightning. gasoline used for cleaning a dress, gas stove, chil- dren and matches. incinerator. trol- ley car motor, paper torch. fence, gas meter. cigarette smoking in bed, refrigerator. ammonia leak, bakery wagon, candle used for illumination in a barn. chair too near 10 a stove, plumbers torch, grease in kitchen defective wiring. The department was called out once to take a crying cat off a roof.
 Fire Board Report.
 The report Of the fire commis- sioners follows:
 TO His Honor, the Mayor, and the
 members Of the Common Councl
 City of New Britain.
 "Gentlemen:-
 ''The board of fire commissioners presents herewith. its report on ac- tivities during the fiscal year 1927. 9os, and respectfully asks your con- sderation Of suggested improve ments and departmental extensions
 Drill Tower
 After many years Of agitation, he department was allowed funds with which to construct a drill tower. and this very much needed Gnd valuable adjunct to the depart inent was erected and placed in use .n the rear Of No. : station. Through the use Of this tower it has been possible for men in the department 70 receive intensive training to aid them in coping with the problems likely to be encountered in actual fire fighting. This feature Of the de- partments work is ably supervised