The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21

bllt NAOy 4AS ASktaA NAAANAAS' want to wait until something hap pens. We should now about what equipment and water supplies they have and how many men. The chief should know what cooperation the fire department can get from the industries in case of sabotage, where their pumps are located in the plant.
 Efficiency Questioned
 "There has been something said of the private fire companies efficiency, but I doubt their efficiency in case of an unusual emergency"
 Chairman Finton J. Phelan said he would instruct the clerk to get from the factories the desired in- formation. Chairman Phelan said that there were couple of spare engines and they could be loaned to the factories temporarily, if they wanted to borrow them.
 Plans for time off for members of the Fire Department, and the retir- ing of two members who have been off duty for nearly 10 years without pensions, survey by the national board of fire underwriters of the city's fire-fighting facilities were ordered by the fire board at its meeting.
 Private Daniel Mccarthy, form erly of Truck Company No. 3 and Edward Fowler, of the fire alarm bureau, were the men retired. Active service, was not done by them for ten years, due to their health. No pensions will be given to them as they were not on the payroll.
 On motion of Commissioner Patrick Shea the Board of Fire Underwriters was asked to make a survey of the Fire Department fla cilities here, with no cost to the city. A report from the underwriters will show if the City of Waterbury is sufficiently protected or has an overstaff department. The Water bury Taxpayers League recently made charge that the Fire Depart ment had more men and equipment than the minimum requirements of the National Board of Fire Under NI4OC1O, dL10 GLldU ULl1 CC VI GIlC tions could be closed. According to the fire commissioners the national board has not made a survey here in the last 25 years.
 New Arrangement"
 Commissioner Shea also made a motion that the board rescind the vote passed last August providing for time off for the firemen. The action of the board was based on an appropriation set up in next years budget for additional firemen. AS the appropriation has not been granted Commissioner Shea moved that the same committee, which con- sidered the subject in August, set a new schedule so as to allow in each month two days off for the fire men by doubling up on the part of the department members. This would be the same as now used whereby the firemen work for each other so that all can obtain two weeks vacation each year.
 Permission was given to Fire Chief Thomas F. Cavanaugh to take time off to attend funerals between occur ring meetings of the board. A $250 fund was asked to be transferred from the contingency fund by Com missioner Shea from the Board of Finance for the installation of cleo trice water coolers in the Field Street Fire Station. A $1O gratitude check was received from K. A. Rubey in appreciation of the work done at extinguishing fire on 301 South Main street. The check was put into the pension fund.
 A report from the committee on fire alarm boxes was received by the board on the installation of a fire box at 1900 Highland Avenue as requested by Ralph J. Tremaglio The board said that the amount for the installation would cost about $500. The report was placed on file