Evening star., 1939-12-19
Trade Board Urges
Independent Survey
OF Fire Department
Efficiency Praised
And Improvements
Asked in Report

The Washington Board Of Trade
announced results of its survey OF
the District Fire Department yes
terday at the Executive Committee
meeting and made recommendation
that an agency independent of the
District government and the board
make comprehensive survey OF
the fire-flghting establishment.
The boards findings were in gen.
eral agreement with those recently
reported by the District Fire Sur
vey Board, but went considerable
further on many points. The trade
body praised the department for its
efficiency, which has given Wash
ington one of the best records in
the country.
The board said it was desirable
to maintain the present strength
Of the force and recommended that
the men lost last year be replaced
1t was pointed out that 80 per cent
of the department outlay was fol-
personnel and that if economies are
to be effected they should be made
through firehouse relocations ano
consultations.
More Protection Asked.
The Public Order COMMITTEES
which made the survey for tn.
board. suggested the need of more
fire protection in the vicinity ol
Massachusetts, and Wisconsin ave.
nues. The area bounded by Penn.
sylvania avenue, New York avenue
North Capitol street and Sixth stree,
needs an improved arrangement o1
stations. Among the plans fol-
equipment, redistribution and com.
pany consultations were included g
number OF units throughout the
city. The present rate of equip.
ment replacement was recommended
also.
The board recommended retention
OF the repair shop in the depart.
ment. but said that the $4,000 ex.
penditure rs figure of such sizt
as to suggest the advisability of ex.
pert analysis" 1t also was pointed
out that purchase of a new fireboa,
would release 10 men for active
company service.
More fire prevention work wa:
recommended and praise was giver
the beneficial results ALREADY
achieved. The expert study nigh
increase this phase. the report said
More study was suggested for tn,
proposed installation of two-wa,
radio units in battalion chief cars
Other Recommendations.
The board declared its stand OF
the following points:
Il. In connection with the pro
jected future plan for the develop
ment Of the department, the Boar,
of Trade recommends that tn
Commissioners of the District of Co
lumbia be enabled to purchase lant
for future station sites as soon a
the location of such stations can b.
determined with reasonable Ger
tainty. in order that such purchase
| may VIC A1AdOC do CCOllOIlllCdl1y d
possible.
%. The Board recommends tina
the Fire Department should put int,
practice proper and adequate sys
tenn of cost accounting in connec
ton with its repair shop operations
"3. The Board, on the basis of it
examination as to conditions of EN-
ployment of firemen in various cite
throughout the country. has fount
that firemen in the District of Co
lumbia apparently enjoy better thar
average pay, hours of labor, leav'
privileges. etc. At the same time, IL
view of the hazardous character o.
such employment and the fact tina
the men are subject to call "a hour
day the Board suggests that such
favorable treatment is merited ane
proper and that no reductions ir
! these provisions should be made"