Evening star., 1947-11-01
Phoned Instructions
To SuppIant Automatic
Fire Alarm Routine

A far-reaching departure in the
District Fire Departments alarm
system was in effect today, designed
to assure ample protection during
emergencies caused by multiple
alarms.
Chief Clement Murphy termed the
innovation - dispatching of initial
fire-fighting equipment by tele-
phoned instructions instead of over
the automatic standard electrical
alarm circuits-an important I'M
provement.
He used the system last night
Halloween, because he knew many
false alarms would be sounded, thus
moving equipment unnecessarily.
Prevents stripping"
Main purpose of the system is to
prevent stripping" of equipment
in any one section of town, SC
that if a major fire occurs, 1t can
be brought under control swiftly
without having to call for aid from
other distant sections.
Radio and telephone communica-
ton Is the backbone of the idea
Even greater efficiency than was
exhibited last night is expected as
soon as all the departments mobile
units are equipped with radio. AT
present, 40 of 10 units have such
installations.
Before the system was put into
effect, a minimum of one engine
company and one truck company
normally responded to a telephoned
or "cca" alarm, together with a
battalion chief after nightfall. When
an alarm was sounded from fire.
box at least three engine companies,
one truck company and a battalion
chief responded.
Extra Hazards Raised.
With several local and box alarms
coming in at once from the same
section, it was extremely difficult
for Fire Alarm Headquarters to pre-
vent either partial or total strip
ping" of the area concerned. This
always is considered very danger
GUS condition since a big fire could
break out in the meantime.
Formerly, all alarms coming
into headquarters at Fourth and
Douglas streets NV. were retrans-
mitted directly to companies over
standard electric alarm circuits,
after reference to a routing book,
designating which units were to re-
spond.
With no previous knowledge, ex-
cept in obvious cases, of how big or
little the fire might be, or whether
it might be false alarm, unneces-
sary equipment has responded in
thousands of cases.
Under the new emergency system,
the minimum number of units re-
spending is cut to either single
engine or truck when alarms are
coming in from several places in an
area at the same time. Therefore,
If the fire is small, or false alarm
is turned in, there still is equipment
remaining on guard in the engine
house. If, on arrival, f1remen find
they need more equipment, they
Immediately advise headquarters by
radio.
The new idea, Chief Murphy said
will be used only in emergencies fol
the present, although in other cities
it already is in full effect.
He said the idea is one OF several
new and heretofore unpublicizee
improvements instituted in the de.
partment since last January /, wher
the Commissioners turned over the
operation of the fire alarm system tt
the fire fighters. Previous to thai
date, the departments alarm system
had been under control of the Dis.
trict Electrical Department.
Another idea, known as plan H,
first went into effect at the recent
S. Kann Sons Co. warehouse fire.
This plan involves the use Of one
of the two existing water towers
Whenever a water tower responds
so does its particular tender, carry
ing oversize hose necessary for th'
towers maximum efficiency.