Mount Vernon Fire News
(From our Regular Correspondent)
Fire Commissioner Havey has returned from Kansas City, where he attended the I. A. F. E. convention.
Engine Company 2, the New Ahrens-Fox pumping engine, had its first working fire test on July 4. A line of two and a half-inch hose was used in fighting a roof fire at 309 Locust street. The flames had no chance when the pumper started working. The loss was $1,100.
There will be an election for first deputy chief here July 22. The only announced candidate is B. H. Brancard, present incumbent.
Truck Company 2 has entered a protest against certain powers granted through the present city charter, to the fire commissioner. The protest is directed especially to that portion of the rules which gives the commissioner authority to reject a chief elected by the department, or accept him, as he sees fit. It also gives him authority to call an election whenever he desires. To further plans in the protest the company has called a meeting for July 25, when committees representing various companies will meet with the truck company’s representatives.
The water question here remains unsettled. The city has received a proposition from the New York Interurban Water Company in which they offer to sell their plant and equipment for $1,150,000. As has been told in FIRE AND WATER ENGINEERING previously, the city wants to change its water system, now under contract to the above-named company, and Catskill water is desired. There is talk of appointing a water commissioner. At present there is a committee headed by John W. Stevens, which is considering the purchase of the equipment now in use.
The city of Waterbury, Conn., has just undergone inspection by the engineers of the Fire Prevention Committee of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, who report as follows: “Extensive improvements recently made, with those that are under way or contemplated, ensure a good measure of adequacy and general efficiency in the water and fire departments and in the fire alarm system. Early action is expected in correcting the principal deficiencies of the department of electrical inspection. Practically nothing has been done towards correcting exceptionally weak features in connection with the building department, the one remaining subject that must be taken up for early and favorable consideration, if a reasonably satisfactory standard of protection and prevention is to be maintained.”
