The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-01-02
OAKLAND FIRE COMPANY
INCREASES in EFFICIENCY
Amount of Loss by Fire Re-
duced, New Truck Purchaed,
Organization Strengthened


A reduction in the amount of loss
sustained in Oakland by fire, the pur-
chase of $12,500 fire-fighting appa-
ratus with 1850 feet of big hose and
500 feet of small, more business
like organization, and wholehearted
support from the citizens of the
town, has been achieved by the Oak
land Volunteer Fire department dur
ing the past year just closed, a sur
vey of The Republican files shows.
Only one fire resulted in any ser
ious damage to property. the Mary
land theatre fire, which was promptly
subdued by the local company after
the alarm had been turned in. Two
fires were extinguished with slight
damage, which had they been given
fifteen minutes start, would have
probably consumed an entire block.
Along with the volunteer organiza-
ton this past year has been more
thought of fire prevention on the part
of the people, resulting in only six
teen alarms being sent in. Ten of
the 16 alarms were turned in from
Oakland, from Mt. Lake Park, 1
from Accident, and l was a forest
fire. The following fires were listed
in The Republican:
Flue in Gender building, Second
street, Mondya, January 7.
Explosion in Elliott's tire service,
Tuesday, January 20. No damage to
building.
Roof on S. R. Oswell property, Mt.
Lake Park, Tuesday, March IL.
Slight damage.
Burning leaves near Nethkin
garage, Mt Lake, Monday, March
25. No property damage. Burning
leaves at Rosedale, same day. No
damage.
Forest fire destroyed barn, three
miles west of Oakland, owned by
John Mackin, Wednesday, April 8.
Trucks were not called but firemen
assisted.
Dwelling corner of Liberty and
Wilson streets, Saturday, April 10.
Considerable damage, covered by in
surance.
Home of Jasper Riley, south Of
Loeb Lynn, Tuesday, April 30. Por-
ton of roof destroyed.
Maryland theatre in X. of P. build
ing, Wednesday, May Is. Damage
between $4,000 and $4,000, covered by
insurance.
Home of Noah Tasker, Mt. Lake,
Wednesday, July "a. Gasoline fire.
No property damage.
Dwelling occupied by Philip Smith,
Accident, Wednesday, August 1. Fire
department called but turned back at
Sand Flat upon notification.
Building in rear of A. D. Naylor
and company, on Railroad street,
Saturday, September IA. Slight
damage.
School bus owned by German
Thayer, in front Of Edwards Chevro-
let Sales, Tuesday, October 5. Slight
damage.
Barn of C. and A. Gas company,
October 20. Slight damage.
Home of Pat Helbig, same date.
Both fires believed to be of incendiary
origin.
Room on third floor in Frantz hotel,
between Liberty and Railroad streets.
Slight damage.
The department now has a full
membership of 35, and waiting list.
The firemen meet once each month,
and anyone absent for three meet
ings is dropped. The men are COM
pletely QUILTED with rubber coats,
helmets and dress hats, and have
taken part in all civic affairs of the
past year. A revision of the bylaws
of the organization has made it
stronger than it has ever been, mem
bers say.
The officers of the organization con-
sist of George Kerins, fire chief, who
devotes many hours of his time in
seeing that the machinery is in good
condition when not in use, and in di-
recting the action of the fighters at
scenes of fire; Emroy Bolden, assist
ant chief; Grover Stemple, second
assistant; Milton Sincell, captain;
Fred Peddicord, president; A. G.
Gortner, vice-president; W. w. Daw-
son, treasurer; and Leo Helbig, secre-
tary and assistant treasurer.