FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Franklin, Pa.
The amount of the fire loss in Franklin, Pa., in 1915, according to a report made by Chief Frank D. Grimm, was $51,498.35. During the year there was received a total of 41 alarms (3 of these alarms were outside of the city) of the total loss from fire, the loss on buildings was $16,749.60, and on contents, $34,748.75. The total insurance carried on involved property was $139,050. The total value of property endangered by fire was $387,325. Insurance paid on losses was $10,305.55. During the year there was laid and used, 0,650 feet of 2J3-inch hose, 1,000 feet of chemical hose and 100 feet ¾-inch hose; used 3 tanks of chemicals (280 gallons), 15 hand chemicals (15 gallons). Thirteen fires were extinguished with chemicals, eleven with water and one with chemicals and water. During the year the motor truck traveled 497.2 miles; cost of maintenance was $77.42; the upkeep of the horse apparatus was $320.59. The cost of horses for reserve apparatus was $104.
Palo Alto, Cal.
The report of Chief George B. Crome, of Palo Alto, Cal., for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915, shows there were nineteen fires and the loss on buildings amounted to $1,500 and on contents to $500. The number of hydrants was 150 and the number of alarm boxes, 22. The report states there is in service at the present time one Seagrave 60 H. P. motor combination chemical and hose wagon, carrying two 30-gallon chemical tanks, two extra charges. 250 feet of At chemical hose, 1,050 feet 8pS-inch double jacket, rubber-lined, cotton hose, two 3-gallon hand chemical extinguishers, 30-foot extension ladder and other apparatus. Seven portable hand chemical extinguishers, three 5-gallon and four 3-gallon, Underwriter type. One two-wheeled Stempl hand chemical engine, 60 gallons, with one extra charge. One four-wheel truck carrying 40foot Pirsch extension ladder. Scaling and roof ladder, pull down hooks, pike poles, etc., 3 portable hand chemical extinguishers. One two-wheel hose cart, roller-bearing wheels, carrying 400 feet 2pi-inch double jacket, rubber-lined, cotton hose. Two four-wheel hose wagons each carrying 600 feet 2pi-inch double jacket, rubber-lined, cotton hose, axes and one 3-gallon portable hand chemical extinguisher. The apparatus is housed in five stations.
Memphis, Tenn.
The report of Chief John E. McFadden, of Memphis, Tenn., shows that he had a rather busy year but that the total loss is comparatively small when the property involved is considered and the size of the city to be protected. The report shows a total of 1,370 alarms was responded to by the department. Of this number 44 were false alarms and 24 were outside the city limits. There were 747 fires in brick and frame buildings; 587 confined to the place of origin, 48 spread to adjoining property, and six spread beyond the adjoining buildings. Eight alarms for accidents, or emergency calls, were responded to by the department. These included the collapse of buildings, flooding of the Manassas Street subway, ammonia pipes bursting in ice and ice cream factories, and an automobile accident last summer at Second Street and Greenlaw Avenue when a woman was killed and others in the party injured. During the year the firemen laid 289,340 feet of two and onehalf-inch hose, or nearly 56 miles. The number of engine streams used in fighting fires was 257, and 150 fires were extinguished by the use of chemical streams, using 9,745 gallons of chemicals. The advantage of the motor apparatus is indicated by the work done by these pieces of equipment. The No. 12 auto pumper on Lamar Boulevard traveled 1.169.7 miles, No. 11 auto pumper traveled 745 miles, and the auto truck covered 442.8 miles. Chief McFadden is proud of the record of the department, unequalled by many cities in the country much larger than Memphis. The following tabic of property loss and insurance reflects the effciency of the department:
Total value of property involved.$2,416,465.20
Total property loss . 424,899.78
Total insurance on property carried . 2,359,449.25
Total insurance loss . 306,455.35 In this connection the report states that the Memphis insurance patrol rendered the department great assistance in helping to keep down losses.
Houston, Tex.
The fact that the insurance key rate in Houston. Tex., had been reduced from 22 to 21 cents in the past few months and predicting that an additional reduction of perhaps 2 cents would be granted with the installation of two additional motor pumping engines, to be delivered shortly, were among the leading features of the annual report of Fire Commissioner H. A. Halverton and Fire Chief Seibert, of that city, recently submitted to Mayor Ben Campbell. Such a reduction, said the commissioner, would mean an annual seeing to policy holders of between $50,000 and $75,000. In addition, fire losses in Houston in the past three years have been within the limit requirements of a 15 per cent, reduction in insurance and Commissioner Halverton hopes that as a result of a report to the state insurance commission that an additional reduction will also be granted. Among the recommendations of the commissioner and chief is the location of a fireboat on the ship channel, in order to furnish ample protection to the long stretch of water front. Warehouses, factories, cotton compresses and sheds, a large packing plant and the city’s dock facilities at the turning basin, about 6 miles from the city proper, where new industries are continually locating, need fire protection of this nature, which can be furnished by a fireboat equipped at an expense estimated at not more than $30,000. Chief Seibert asks for two more motor pumping engines, additional motor apparatus in the way of combinations, tractors for the water tower, aerial truck and other heavy horse-drawn apparatus, and also for the installation of a modern high pressure water system at the foot of Main street, in the heart of the business district. In addition two autos for the two assistant chiefs are shown to be a necessity, also a drill tower and training school equipment for proper instruction of members of the department. The personnel of the department, from the chief on down, is highly praised by the commissioner.
Vicksburg, Miss.
The twelfth annual report of the Vicksburg, Miss., fire department, for the year ending December 31, 1915, contains a recommendation by Chief J. W. Wilks, that 1,500 feet, of 2J4-inch cotton rubber lined hose and 200 feet of rubber chemical hose be purchased. Th report gives the following figures: Numbe of large fires, 42; number of small fires, 112 number of false alarms, 13; number out o reach of department, 5; number chimneys 43 number grass, trash, etc., 35; number ’stil alarms, 40; number fires confined to building of origin, 36; number fires extended to ad joining building, 4; number fires extended be yond adjoining buildings, 2; number feet o hose used, 38,700; number feet of ladders used 1,880; number gallons of chemicals used, 918 number hours worked, 175. The total ’valu of the property (buildings and contents) a risk was $817,850 and the total insurance wa $475,950. The total loss was $96,217, bein.: $60,382 on buildings, and $35,985 on contents
