The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-31

OOt IOveAAs q AA MAMMA eSA@~ " S~ VI
 Big Shake-up
 The Sl1ake-up, expected for many months previous, came on April G.. Capt. Martin J. Campion was ad- vanced to fill the vacant post of deputy chief of the department, a position subordinate only to that of Chief Thomas E. Cavanaugh. Capt. Joseph Kelley who was promoted to the rank of drillmaster. Six firernen were advanced to the rank of cap- tain and seven to lieutenant.
 In addition, 27 new fire depart ment privates were appointed. Eight men were retired: Supt. of Fire Alarms Charles K. Ahearn, Capts. Frank Ryan and Edward J. Ma loney; Lieuts. Walter Johnson, Frank J. Finn, John J. Crean, John J. Quinn, and Private Patrick Cow per.
 The changes went into effect May 1, and were followed by reaSSign- ment of personnel by Chief Cav anaugh. Many officers and men were shifted to different engine houses.
 Total fire department expendi- lures were slightly in excess of $585, ,0oO, and the per capita fire cost was less than in 1887. Fire loss was $109,000, as compared with $283, 900 in the previous year.
 An explosion at gasoline sta- tion between East Main and Wol- colt streets February took the lives of Armand Ciano, 20, and An drew Biondi, 19, and seriously in- jured three other men.
 Fatalities
 Three-year old Norman Duplessis died after tenement house fire on Sandland place April 3, and Mrs. Philomena Martone, a neighbor, died of 8 heart attack caused by the excitement of the blaze. Dom- chic Scozzafava suffered fatal burns in fire at his home on South Elm street March 18. The other fire vic- tins were Florence Mahaney, 7, burned to death in a Hill street bonfire, and Mrs. Alice Dow, whose bed caught fire from a cigarette.
 A leaking gas main at Bank and Riverside streets March 4 took the life of William H. Mahaney, mem- Der of 8 prominent Waterbury fam fly.
 March was the busiest month of the year for the firefighters, with scores of brush fires breaking out. One day during March, there were g alarms answered by the various companies.
 Bremen were called on for special duty in heavy floods last spring. A general alarm was sounded Sept. q, when flood waters rose on River side street after the New England hurricane. Firemen manned boats and lines to rescue members of many stranded families.
 In the fall came the Griffen- hagen report, with its recommen- dations that the personnel of the fire department be reduced, that the East Main Orange, Burton street and Washington avenue en- zine houses be closed, that several offices in the department be abol- ished, and that several companies be taken out of service. Bremen began an immediate protest against the proposals and the fire board voted them down.
 Sought Cut"
 Then the firemen took the of fensive and went before the board of aldermen to ask that their 10 per cent pay waivers be restored in 1889. The pay cut has not yet been returned.
 There were several changes in the fire board, the most publicized one coming with the resignation of Chairman Thomas F. Mccarthy in protest against the shake-up in April. Commissioner Fred Chesson also resigned as 8 gesture of pro- test. Commissioner Frank Healey was then elected chairman of the board. Later Commissioner Frank English resigned. A new appointee was Commissioner William Verriker. One place on the fire board is still vacant.
 During the year, the fire com mjssioners began 8 new practice by making frequent trips of inspection to engine houses about the city. Several commissioners also answered many alarms.
 A $17,O0O aerial ladder truck was ordered for the department several months ago, and is now due in the city to be tested and then placed in service.