USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1937 > Part 16
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4
Lord's Day act, violating
9
Lottery tickets in possession to sell
12
263
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Malicious mischief
10
Manslaughter
1
Masher act, violating
2
Material witness
1
Motor vehicle laws, violating
889
Murder
1
Murder, attempt
1
Neglect or desertion of family, non-support
24
Neglect of child
6
Neglect of parent
1
Non-payment of wages
6
Obstructing funeral
1
Operating to endanger
74
Operating under the influence
130
Peddling, unlicensed
3
Polygamy
1
Promoting a lottery
18
Railer and brawler
2
Rape
2
Rape, attempt
1
Receiving stolen goods
4
Registering horse bets
2
Removal of flowers from grave
1
Robbery (Armed-hold-up in street-building)
2
Robbery (Unarmed-hold-up in street-building)
4
Runaway boys
7
Runaway girls
3
Safe keeping
22
Stealing a ride
1
Stubborn child
5
Suspicious person
24 1
Tramps
8
Trespass
3
Unlawful use of boat-sailboat
5
Vagrants
1
Violation of barber regulations
1
Violation of fish and game laws
8
Violation of insurance laws
3
Violation of labor laws
18
Violation of National Guard regulations
2
Violation of parole
3
Violation of probation
19
Violation school rules
1
Violation Board of Health rules
2
Signal System
Wagon calls
1,910
Ambulance calls
172
Pulmotor calls
4
Permits Issued
Sunday Labor permits issued
117
Sunday Labor permits refused
30
Revolver permits issued
135
Revolver permits refused
25
Miscellaneous permits issued
462
Miscellaneous permits refused
... .
45
Threats and intimidations
264
CITY OF QUINCY
Notices Served
Snow and sidewalk ordinance
25
Summary of Arrests
On summons
1,049
On Warrants
365
Without warrants
1,953
Held for trial
25
Delivered to other departments
42
Released on waiver
27
Non-residents
873
Discharged on examination
313
Drunkenness-released
521
Juveniles
164
Summoned-out of town police
859
Automobile Sales and Transfers
Received and filed
7,258
Waiver for four-day law issued
752
Waiver for four-day law refused
35
Report of Liquor Department
Inspections
7,910
Licenses suspended after investigation
8
Licensees given warning . 5
Inspection and hearings by Commission
13
Illegal sale
1
Keeping and exposing
1
Miscellaneous
Accidents reported
174
Automobiles stolen
99
Automobiles recovered
96
Buildings found open and secured
428
Breaks reported
210
Bicycles stolen
100
Bicycles recovered
57
Cases investigated
4,358
Dead bodies found
14
Dead animals
264
Defective lamps reported
3
Defective sidewalks reported
202
Defective streets reported
812
Defective catch basins and sewers
15
Defective hydrants and gates
108
Defective signs and sign posts
63
Defective wires
21
Disturbances suppressed
136
Dogs killed
61
False alarm of fire given
. .
.
. . . . .
33
265
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Fires reported
54
Fire alarms sounded
17
Gas leaks
6
Houses unoccupied
448
Injured and sick persons assisted
37
Insane persons cared for
5
Lights reported not burning-nov. ser.
6,590
gas
Lost children restored
Missing persons
125
Missing persons found
122
Obstructions removed from sidewalks & streets
25
Panes of glass broken
523
Permits to labor on Lord's day
117
Persons notified for various causes
1,175
Sudden deaths
15
Stray animals found
1
Streets and subways flooded
10
Streets sanded
45
Water running to waste
122
Report of the Traffic Department
Accidents reported
622
Accidents investigated
724
Persons injured
693
Persons killed
7
Prosecutions
392
Licenses sus .- recom. of this office
221
Warnings given to viol. of M. V. Laws by P. O. 577
40
Report of the Radio Department
Messages transmitted from headquarters
21,156
Messages received at headquarters 23,320
Report of the Bureau of Investigation
Investigations made
1,117
Breaks investigated
62
Breaks-attempts
20
Horse room and nigger pool complaints
31
Attempted suicide
4
Deaths
21
Missing Persons
9
Fugitives
2
Extradition cases
4
Prisoners printed
93
Fires attended
'7
Insane committed
1
Beano games investigated
31
Arrests
218
Robberies investigated
6
Value of property recovered
$ 8,246 58
Value of Automobiles recovered
$35,500 00
810
21
149
Safety talks at churches, schools, clubs, etc.
266
CITY OF QUINCY
CONCLUSION
There should be a Lieutenant with the rank of Chief Inspector in charge of the Inspector's Office who will be there to receive com- plaints and keep a check-up on their work.
To persons not familiar with Police Department duties, there is little chance for them to pass fair judgment as to the justification of our claim for additional officers. As the Council has an order for six additional officers to fill in on routes left uncovered on the last half of the night, by reason of the one day off in seven, I can only urge the necessity of the men, believing that the last half de- tail should be of the same numerical strength as the first.
I recommend that a sum not to exceed $2500 be set aside for the purchase of a combination Fire and Police boat, said boat to be equipped with a two-way radio and a centrifical pump to be used in case of fires about our large water front. I have seen the folly of going to the scene of a drowning or a pleasure boat over- turned in the water with human lives on board, and the Police Department going to the scene in a ten foot skiff. The large num- ber of pleasure craft afloat off our shores represents thousands of dollars of taxable property and the Police up to this year being unable to offer the owners any protection whatsoever. Such a boat should be about 26 feet overall, 8 foot beam and to have a suitable pilot house to offer protection against the elements of the weather. Such a boat would be in service during the months from May to November.
I also recommend that the six motorcycles, now two and three years old respectively, be turned in and new ones bought to re- place the old cycles now in service, as provisions have been made to equip them with radio receivers. I believe that the life of any automobile in the Police Department used continually on radio car patrol is one year and urge the replacement of six autos now used in that line of work.
I further recommend the purchase of an ambulance to replace the present Packard ambulance purchased twelve years ago by Mayor Barbour it having seen its best wear and now in need of expensive motor and body repairs. I recommend that a sum not over $2500 be used for the purchase of a practical ambulance suited to our needs in accident cases only, and the present one be turned in as an exchange towards the purchase of a new one.
In conclusion I wish to thank Mayor Burgin, the City Council, the heads of the various City Departments for their assistance given me. I am also grateful to the District Attorney and mem- bers of his staff, to the Justices of the Court, the Probation Officer and members of his staff, to the Clerk of Court and his office staff for their consideration and advice.
To all members of the Department who have worked to reach and maintain a high standard of efficiency, I am sincerely thankful and to assure my appreciation that our best efforts to merit their confidence in the future will be given.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. AVERY, Chief of Police
267
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Radio Division
Calls Sent by Radio Patrol Cars
Car No. 1
2,301
Car No. 2,932
Car No. 3 2,716
Car No. 4
5,426
Car No. 5
3,494
Car No. 6
1,855
Car No. 7
1,421
Car No. 8
241
Car No. 9
181
Total 20,567
Calls Sent by Fire Dept. Cars
Car No. 14 355
Car No. 15
392
Car No. 16
6
753
835
Arrests made by Radio Cars
Miles traveled by Radio Cars . 577,782
On April 28, 1937, there was a map placed in the radio room for the convenience of the radio operator in dispatching cars to certain locations without first calling for locations. I believe that if all car operators will cooperate with the dispatcher in the radio room by calling their locations, that the radio can be made more efficient.
In regard to Third Class Licenses I recommend that all members of this Department hold such license, as they may be called to operate a radio car at any time. I can make arrangements with the Radio inspector for an examination to be held here at headquarters so that the men will not have to go to Boston in order to be examined.
MR. JOHN J. AVERY, Chief of Police
Quincy, Massachusetts.
DEAR SIR:
In the budget for radio for the coming year there will be noticed an increase over last year's amount, the main reason for this is that there will be a number of changes to be made to the equip- ment this year, that are required by the Federal Communications Commission.
These changes while not drastic, will cost in the vicinity of $600 alone, there are certain expenditures that will come with the buy- ing of new cars, this amount does not mean any great outlay of money but must be done every time there is a change in equipment
Total
268
CITY OF QUINCY
from an old car to a new one, we do not use the same cables twice as there is liable to be defects in them when they are removed from the old cars.
In order to keep the cars operating at their best it is necessary to use all new parts in new cars. Quincy has a very good record as far as radio equipment is concerned, and is classed second to none for a department of its size.
When our new Transmitter is in operation we will be one city that is up to the highest standard for Police radio communication.
In view of the fact that we have a frequency monitor that is not up to the standard, we will have to construct one that will pass the inspection of the Federal Communications Commission, the one we have is what is known as an electron coupled type using a conven- tional oscillator, this will have to be replaced by a Crystal type.
To buy one already built would cost about $500 and we can build one for about $125. I hope this will help to explain the increase in the amount asked for by the radio division.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN P. DUFFY, (Sergt. John P. Duffy.)
Calls sent to cars by headquarters
Car No. 1
2,176
Car No. 2
3,318
Car No. 3
2,599
Car No. 4
5,164
Car No. 5
3,443
Car No. 6
1,954
Car No. 7 1,594
Car No. 8
195
Car No. 9
150
Total
20,593
Calls Sent to Fire Dept. Cars
Car No. 14
230
Car No. 15
268
Car No. 16
65
Total
563
Equipment Recommendations
In case of failure of the electric power supplying this building, I recommend the purchase of a gasoline driven generator, as you know that when there is no electric light supply the radio will not work as it is supplied from the same source. A unit of this type can be bought for about $350.
I also recommend the purchase of sirens for the radio cars, with the increase of traffic on our highways and the amount of noise it is impossible for radio cars to get the right of way when an emer- gency arises.
In regard to car equipment I recommend that all car operators inspect their cars before leaving the garage, and report any defects to the man in charge of the garage on their shift.
REPORT ON RADIO LOG SHEETS FOR YEAR 1937
Calls Sent from Headquarters to Cars
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec. 269
Total
Car No. 1
190
228
266
222
78
103
133
152
88
131
319
2,176
Car No. 2
295
256
316
313
319
309
366
227
170
310
267
170
3,318
Car No. 3
183
189
286
272
173
190
263
170
140
244
259
230
2,593
Car No. 4
267
310
381
442
521
559
629
446
287
420
494
408
5,164
Car No. 5
254
291
307
272
289
306
343
251
103
327
384
316
3,443
Car No. 6
106
111
164
158
209
183
234
164
159
192
160
114
1,954
Car No. 7
156
163
247
203
62
106
129
97
88
142
160
41
1,594
Car No. 8
2
13
3
4
8
10
7
16
17
31
67
17
195
Car No. 9
4
4
8
9
9
8
12
21
13
13
35
14
150
Fire Department
Car No. 14
20
29
32
88
61
230
Car No. 15
2
16
8
26
13
65
Car No. 16
Total
21,156
REPORT ON RADIO LOG SHEETS FOR YEAR 1937
Calls Sent by Cars to Headquarters
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct. 122
Nov.
Dec.
Total
Car No. 1
216
307
312
233
169
181
166
74
30
264
257
2,301
Car No. 2
318
262
292
297
286
281
319
199
132
193
204
149
2,932
Car No. 3
264
292
320
335
265
305
292
102
67
145
169
160
2,716
Car No. 4
326
548
473
531
684
660
585
322
194
340
453
310
5,426
Car No. 5
308
394
355
328
341
370
365
175
80
210
247
261
3,494
Car No. 6
144
186
224
179
184
202
231
151
57
102
86
109
1,855
Car No. 7
119
194
344
245
90
114
128
26
28
60
62
11
1,421
Car No. 8
12
18
10
15
7
17
95
13
8
18
14
14
241
Car No. 9
10
27
14
21
17
26
25
11
3
7
12
8
Fire Department
Car No. 14
20
49
72
71
38
63
63
14
1
14
5
8
355
Car No. 15
25
59
71
75
43
73
73
8
11
6
7
13
392
Car No. 16
-
Total
21,320
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
269
1
5
-
6
25
35
38
100
70
268
181
270
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
JANUARY 1, 1938.
HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN, Mayor. City of Quincy, Quincy, Massachusetts.
DEAR SIR:
I respectfully submit the annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1937.
Personnel of Department
William J. Sands, Chief of Department
Creedon, Peter
O'Neil, John L.
Captains
O'Connell, Timothy J.
O'Neil, Edward
Lieutenants
Avery, Paul
Barry, Edward
Byron, John
Cain, Anthony
Curtin, William
Della Lucca, Louis
F'enby, Robert
Gorman, Thomas
Hughes, Henry
Kinniburgh, Matthew
Murphy, Thomas
Wholey, William
Privates
Connell, James
Connolly, Charles
Cotter, Thomas
Crozier, Patrick
Cullen, Frederick
Daly, James
Daley, Ambrose Decelle, John
Dorlay, George
Dorlay, John F.
Dreyer, Phillip
Dunlea, Leo
Dwyer, Edward
Edwards, Percy Egan, William
Albee, Lowell Anderson, Charles
Barton, James
Bennett, James
Bersani, Thomas
Bertrand, Ernest Buckley, William Burns, Matthew Callahan, George Capiferi, Joseph Carroll, William Childs, William Ciardi, Joseph Colligan, James Collins, John
Deputy Chiefs
271
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Privates
Morrison, Timothy
Mullaney, Charles
Mullaney, Frederick
Mullaney, Robert
Hall, Alton
Hannon, Bernard
Hanrahan, Lawrence
Hanrahan, Edward
O'Brien, Frederick
Hayford, Arthur
O'Connell, Edward O'Connell, John
Hodgkinson, Benjamin Hutchinson, Theodore
Pangraze, Robert
Joyce, Richard
Parker, Michael
Lagerquist, Waldo
Perkins, Charles
Lahey, William
Peterson, Elmer
Landry, Francis
Phelan, George
Lane, Daniel
Phelan, Michael
Lane, Edward
Quinlan, Martin
Lane, Joseph
Quinn, John
Litchfield, Charles
Radley, Daniel
Lynch, Jeremiah
Reinhalter, John E.
MacDonald, James
Rizzi, John
Maguire, Joseph
Rouillard, Frederick
Maloney, Thomas
Runnalls, John
McDonald, Murdock
McEachern, Alexander
Shay, Albert
McEachern, Allan
Stanton, Patrick
McNeilly, Matthew
Sullivan, John
McNiece, James
Thompson, William
Tobin, Aloysius
Tobin, John
Walsh, Joseph
Reserve Men
Buckley, Ambrose Carella, Oriental
Colligan, Thomas
Daly, Francis
O'Brien, James
Pitts, William
Rizzi, Joseph Rogers, Emeric
Rouillard, Theodore
Salvucci, Arthur
Spillane, Maurice
Swanson, Albert
Walter, Edward
Men on Pension
James Gallagher, Deputy Chief William Gavin, Supt. of Fire Alarm Daniel McNiece, Captain Andrew Scully, Lieutenant
Mullaney, Thomas
Mullen, Joseph
Murphy, Joseph
Donovan, Ernest Edwards, Frank Egan, Walter
Faulkner, Ralph
Ganzel, John McDermott, John McPherson, James
Sarno, James
McNulty, Arthur Metcalf, Clarence
Moran, James
Nickerson, Leroy Nimeskern, George Noonan, Frederick Novelli, William
Frazier, Francis Galvin, James Genero, Frank Gerry, William Glennon, William
272
CITY OF QUINCY
Privates on Pension
Barry, Michael Clancy, Onesime Creamer, Myles
Curry, John Farrell, Edward Riepke, William Tutton, Samuel
APPARATUS
Central Station
One Buick Chief's Car
One Buick Deputy Chief's Car
One Seagrave Pumping Engine
One Seagrave Ladder Truck
One American LaFrance Combination Hose Truck
One Chevrolet Supply Truck
Atlantic Station
One Seagrave Pumping Engine
One Seagrave Ladder Truck
One G.M.C. Special Service Truck
Quincy Point Station
One Maxim Pumping Engine
Wollaston Station
One Seagrave Pumping Engine
One Seagrave Ladder Truck
West Quincy Station
One Maxim Pumping Engine
One American LaFrance Ladder Truck
Hough's Neck Station
One Maxim Pumping Engine
One American LaFrance Ladder Truck
One White Pumping Engine (In reserve)
Record of Alarms
Total Alarms for 1937
1,170
Bell Alarms
414
Tel. Alarms
691
Still Alarms
65
False Alarms
57
Multiple Alarms
11
Reported Fires
19
Increase in alarms over 1936
173
Decrease in false alarms
7
273
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
RESPONSE TO ALARMS BY COMPANY
Hose 1 (Headquarters)
Bell Alarms
164
Tel. Alarms
250
Still Alarms
15
Total Alarms
429
Engine 1 (Headquarters)
Bell Alarms
189
Tel. Alarms
156
Still Alarms
4
Total Alarms
349
Ladder 1 (Headquarters)
Bell Alarms
105
Tel. Alarms
105
Still Alarms
10
Total Alarms
220
Engine 2 (Atlantic Station)
Bell Alarms
69
Tel. Alarms
173
Still Alarms
18
Total Alarms
260
Ladder 5 (Atlantic Station)
Bell Alarms
58
Tel. Alarms
67
Still Alarms
7
Total Alarms
132
Engine 3 (Quincy Point Station)
Bell Alarms
78
Tel. Alarms
52
Still Alarms
13
Total Alarms
143
Engine 4 (Wollaston Station)
Bell Alarms
128
Tel. Alarms
210
Still Alarms
19
Total Alarms
357
Ladder 2 (Wollaston Station)
Bell Alarms
68
Tel. Alarms
94
Still Alarms
8
Total Alarms
170
274
CITY OF QUINCY
Engine 5 (West Quincy Station)
Bell Alarms
106
Tel. Alarms
109
Still Alarms
8
Total Alarms
223
Ladder 3 (West Quincy Station)
Bell Alarms 93
Tel. Alarms
14
Still Alarms
4
Total Alarms
111
Engine 6 (Hough's Neck Station)
Bell Alarms 54
Tel. Alarms
58
Still Alarms
29
Total Alarms
141
Ladder 4 (Hough's Neck Station)
Bell Alarms 56
Tel. Alarms
13
Still Alarms 3
Total Alarms
72
Flood Light Truck Operations from Jan. 1 to Jan. 28 (Old Chevrolet Light Truck)
Alarms responded to 12
Special Calls
1
Inhalator used 1
1,000 watt light used 3 (Times)
500 watt light used 6 (Times)
300 watt light used 5 (Times)
250 watt light used 2 (Times)
Generator in operation 9 hours 50 minutes
Flood Light Truck Operations by New Special Service Truck from July 2, to Dec. 31
Special Service Truck located at Atlantic Station
Total alarms and special calls responded to . . 100
Special Calls 14
Inhalator used 7
1,000 watt light used 22 (Times) 500 watt light used 16 (Times) 250 watt light used 30 (Times)
Time out of quarters 83 hours 41 minutes
Generator in operation 53 hours 56 minutes
275
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Total number feet of hose laid
Hose 1 laid
30,150
Engine 1 laid
20,100
Engine 2 laid
19,450
Engine 3 laid
8,250
Engine 4 laid
28,100
Engine 5 laid
12,750
Engine 6 laid
8,300
Engine 7 laid
1,500
Engine 7, the reserve engine, was detailed to burn over dangerous vacant lots and used the hose noted above.
Total number feet of ladders raised 7,631.
Total number of hours absent from quarters 2,001-5 minutes.
Engines pumped 117 hours and 46 minutes.
Boosters used 505 times.
Gallons of chemicals used 151 gallons.
Hydrants in use 233 hours and 51 minutes.
Number of pounds of carbon dioxide used 448 pounds.
Report of Drill Masters
Total number of drill hours by Platoon A . . 80
Total number of drill hours by Platoon B . . 75
Report of Fire Prevention Bureau
Total number of inspections of buildings
6,662
Number of complaints acted on by letter
56
Number of complaints acted on by notice
17
Valuations, Insurance and Losses
Value of property involved
$3,402,885 43
Insurance on same
3,296,365 43
Loss insured and uninsured
142,879 89
Insurance Loss
127,467 56
Fire Loss by Months
Month
Buildings
Contents
Totals
January
$11,757 20
$4,334 03
$16,091 23
February
21,570 71
2,133 71
23.704 42
March
10,397 09
7,239 52
17,636 61
April
11,937 77
3,921 69
15,859 46
May
10,736 00
3,004 40
13,740 40
June
12,545 75
6,271 34
18,817 09
July
4,324 00
370 00
4,694 00
August
7,601 50
4,113 37
11,714 87
September
2,517 50
893 94
3,411 44
October
5,864 02
2,683 83
8,547 85
November
5,539 10
1,103 10
6,642 20
December
1,408 17
612 15
2,020 32
Totals
$106,198 81
$36,681 08
$142,879 89
Total fire loss for 1936
$173,113 47
Total fire loss for 1937
142,879 89
Decrease in fire loss
30,233 56
128,600
276
CITY OF QUINCY
Fires by Classification
Dwellings
227
Stores, offices, etc. 158
Automobiles 74
Grass, rubbish, etc. 508
Miscellaneous 165
False
57
Total
1,189
(This includes 19 reported fires).
Permits granted for sale of fireworks
46
Permits granted for public display of fireworks
2
Permits granted fuel oil storage-range burners 1,850
Permits granted fuel oil storage-power burners 659
Permits granted for outdoor fires
832
Cash received from-sale of old tires
recharging extinguishers
fireworks permits
alcohol permits
$216 34
sale of old junk ... (Paid to City
Treasurer)
The fire loss for the year showed a decrease of $30,233.56 or a decrease of 17.4% under the previous year. This decrease reflects credit on the excellent work of the Fire Prevention Bureau, handi- capped as it is, by lack of a full time Captain in charge.
The number of alarms for the year showed an increase of 173 over 1936. This was due to the mild open winter which increased the number of grass and brush fires. March had a record number of alarms mostly grass and brush.
The number of false alarms decreased 7 under that of 1936 al- though the number of alarms were higher. Credit for this decrease is due in no small part to the splendid cooperation of the Legion Posts who on Halloween guarded the fire boxes throughout the city.
The National Board of Fire Underwriters completed their survey of the City and submitted their report to the Mayor. In order to secure any insurance rate reductions their recommendations must be adopted.
Mr. C. A. Bingham investigated and reported on each department of the city including the fire department. His report of conditions in the fire department was favorable, and his recommendations as far as the budget would permit, have been complied with.
A new Special Service Truck was purchased and placed in opera- tion July 2, 1937. This new truck is a G.M.C. with a custom built steel body and a Kohler Electric Plant. The truck is equipped for fire, accident and emergency. It is probably the finest of its type in the East.
New Akron nozzles were placed on Engine 4, Wollaston. This completes the standardization of nozzles throughout the city.
Two foamite generators and one ton of foam powder were pur- chased after an oil fire in a building located at the Baker Yacht Basin with which the department was unable to cope. One gen- erator was placed on Hose 1 and the other on Engine 2, Atlantic. These generators will give the department a fighting chance with any oil fire.
277
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
A new deck gun was placed on Ladder 5, Atlantic. This places a gun in every station except Wollaston and provisions have been made in this year's budget to purchase another.
11/2 inch hose was purchased and placed in service on Hose 1 and Engine 4. Every Engine company now has 500 feet of 11/2 inch hose. 11/2 inch hose is more mobile and can be easily handled by one man. It also reduces the water damage, cutting the fire loss which is the main objective of the department.
Five belt wheat lights were bought and placed on Engine 4. It is my desire to have a belt wheat light as standard equipment for each man on duty, and I have made provisions in the budget to purchase additional ones. These lights are indispensable in fires at night and cellar fires.
Two all-service masks were bought and placed on Ladder 5, Atlantic. Masks are a necessary part of ladder equipment to enable the crew to ventilate under severe smoke and gas conditions. This ladder company had no masks previously.
Two-way radio sets were installed by Sergeant Duffy of the Police Department on the Chief's car, the Deputy's car and the Special Service Truck. Now they can be in constant touch with Headquarters at all times. It also enables the department officers to broadcast to the Special Service truck en route to a fire and order it to return if the first officer to arrive at the fire location finds the truck is not needed.
The order for the New Central Fire Station was passed by the City Council and signed by the Mayor and work has already begun on its construction.
Booster tanks have been installed on Ladders 2 and 5. Every ladder truck now is equipped with a booster tank. These boosters enable the ladder trucks to extinguish a fire as well as to ventilate.
Lieutenant O'Connell was promoted to Captain and Private Murphy was promoted to Lieutenant. Both men have long and splendid records as firemen and merited their promotions.
One permanent fireman, John Minihan, and four retired men, Patrick Caven, Richard Callahan, John Sullivan and Herbert Griffin, died during the year. The late Private Minihan was one of the oldest active firemen and had a long and spotless record as a fire- man. His death is a distinct loss to the department. The four retired men all had excellent records as firemen and their death was noted with sorrow.
On January 29th, while responding to an alarm the old Chevrolet light truck was badly damaged in an accident and the operator, James Daly, was slightly injured. After the Council had passed the order for the new Special Service truck, members of the depart- ment reconditioned and repainted the old light truck and placed it in commission as a supply truck. Thus at a small cost the de- partment has a much needed supply truck.
Ladder 1 was painted by members of the department at a mini- mum cost. This completes the painting of all the Seagraves.
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