Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-03-05

Improvement will be heartily sub
scribed to.
A couple of years ago the matter OF
new masonry fire hall and modern
piece of fire apparatus were discussed
Your present fire hall is of frame con-
struction and accordingly is not par
ticularly desirable for housing fire de-
partnent equipment
1t would be our recommendation
that a suitable brick or concrete strue-
ture be erected not only suitable for
housing fire department equipment,
but with dormitory provisions TO en-
able from three to one half dozen vol
unteers sleeping in the hall at night.
1t may be also desirable in design
ing a new structure of this kind to
make provision for council chambers
and perhaps municipal offices. These,
however, are details that can best be
determined by your municipality.
We would recommend the purchase
of a modern up-to-date fire truck,
preferably one carrying pumping
equipment with not less than $50 gal
Ions per minute capacity. or better still
500 gallons per minute. We would rec
ommend a standard fire truck in lieu
of the converted light type of truck
often found in the smaller municipal
tiles
1t has been our experience and OBJ
servation that there is considerable
false economy in the smaller NUM-
cipality to attempt to purchase small
truck not especially designed for fire
department purposes and assembling
the necessary. equipment and body. |
have in mind one municipality in the
state which over a period OF some
ten years has purchased three differ
emf chassis or light trucks and as
sembled the body and equipment and
at the end of that period found that
notwithstanding the considerable ex-
pense that had been incurred, they
were still without reliable piece of
equipment, the upshot being that they
finally purchased new piece OF
equipment of standard design and
manufacture.
Fire. department members and city
officials agreed that in the final analy-
sis that had they purchased modern
truck at the outset they would have
effected a saving to the city and fire
department the price of almost two
standard trucks
In addition to the foregoing rec
concentrations which are of the ut
most importance, we would also rex
ommend that your city officials adopt
ordinances regulating building con-
structiot electrical installations the
storage and handling Of explosive and
inflammables as recommended Tor
small municipalities BY the National
Board of Fire Underwriters.
Fire prevention ordinances Of this
character tend to promote : an I'M
proved municipality from the stand
point OF fire prevention. fire nrctec-
ton and improved conditions. al Of
which have tendency to eliminating
fire hazards and reduce fire loss.
We shall be pleased to furnish you
with copies Of suggested ordinances
as well as copy of specifications fer
fire apparatus.
In conclusion, we would like 10 s3lg |
qest that should your municipality /
consider favorably a project for I'M /
proving its fire defenses, it perhaps I
could best be handled by planning Z |
three. four or five year program IN /
such way that a portion Of the pro-
iected Improvements could be carried |
out each year and carried to success
full completion at the end of a definite /
period This plan has been adopted |
by a good many municipalities partic
ularlv the smaller towns in order 10
distribute the cost Of such improve /
mont equitably over a period 81 years
instead Of the expense being a-tTb-
uted to one year or any one ad1alr1i-
stration.
If the foregoing Improvements De
carried to a satisfactory completion,
we will be in position to recommend |
to the proper committee of this Board /
reduction from your present fire in
surance rates of approximately u 70
1917.
Should you desire any additional n
formation, kindly do not hesitate 10
write us.
Respectfully yours,
CIIAS. w. COOK.