Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-15
FIRE LOSSES GAIN
|ND|STR|CT THOUGH
NUMBER DECLINES
Total of ST ,O29,931 Reported
During Fiscal Year by
Chief Watson.
PER CAPITA DAMAGE
OF SILL Is ESTIMATED
275 Members of Force Injured
While Fighting Flames
in Period.

Fire losses in the District of Columbia
totaled S1,O29,931 during the fiscal year
ended June 80. 1881, an increase of
$l41,301 over the preceding year. &C.
cording to the annual report submitted
to the Commissioners today by Chief
George S. Watson of the Fire Depart
ment.
The average loss per fire. however.
was S237.78, a decrease of S15.68 over
the 1880 figures. The per capita loss
was $2.i1.
Both the loss per fire and the loss
per capita are low, according to stand
ards established by fire control authori-
ties, Chief Watson reported
Number of Fires Greater.
The actual number of fires causing
this total loss was 4,331, or 829 more
than in 1880, and 8.8 per 1000 popu-
lation. In giving these figures, Chief
Watson does not offer any explanation
Of the increase in the number of fires.
In fighting fires minor burns and in
juries were sustained by 275 members
Of the force. none of which proved fatal.
The total number of alarms within
the District was 6393, which repre-
Sents an increase of 1.701 over the pre-
ceding year. OF this number, 2,105
were received through fire boxes, 292
more than last year, and 4,288 by tele-
phone. or verbal message, direct to the
department units. This number is
1,4o9 more than in 1880.
Aided Nearby Towns.
In 46 cases the assistance Of the
department was given to points in near
by Maryland and Virginia.
False alarms were SIS in number,
80 more than last year. Thirty-three
incendiary and Sc suspicious fires oc-
CURED during the year.
Calvin G. LAUDER. fire marshal, IN
reporting to Chief Watson. recommend
ed that the position of chief inspector
be created, carrying with it at least
the rank of sergeant. in order to main
tain the proper administrative control
of this division.
The two rescue squads and ambulance
maintained by the Fire Department
were kept busy day and night respond
ing to emergency calls.
In addition to the 275 firemen who
sustained injuries, the rescue squad
responded to 1877 cases involving the
deaths of civilians. These included as
the principal causes, As deaths by
illuminating gas. rs drowning cases and
SO deaths by heart disease.
The total number of cases involving
of injuries were treated by the rescue
squad members. The rescue squads
responded to 184 calls in which persons
refused treatment, and in the fires dur
ing the year, 81 civilians sustained
burns that were not treated by the
Fire Department, two cases Of which
resulted in deaths. The total number
Of all civilian casualties, including
deaths, was $40.
OF the fire loss in the District,
S739,472 was fully recovered by in
surance and $290,459 was the loss
represented by uninsured property.
Thirty-three fires resulted in losses
Of S756,312, or 1874 per cent Of the
total. Twelve Of the multiple alarms
totaled loss of $606,290.
Two Schools Set Afire.
Two public schools were included in
the incendiary cases investigated. These
were the Carbery School, on Fifth street
between D and E streets northeast, set
afire by group of small boys, and the
Cook School, on P street between North
Capitol and First streets, which was
fired by boy.
Chief Watson reported the morale
and discipline are both excellent" in
gress on July l, 1880, providing increased
compensation for the uniformed force.
he reported, was of far-reaching impor-
lance in the maintenance OF morale and
also as an incentive for men of high
qualifications to seek employment In the
service.
Disciplinary measures were necessary
in 112 cases, Sc less than during the
fiscal year 1880. OF these cases, rs
&c P1 or
rant no action other than a warning.
Chief Watson made no recommended
lions in his annual report, these having
been made to the Commissioners in the
Fire Departments budget estimates for
1888.