USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1878 > Part 13
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The liberality of the City Government has been shown in
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promptly according to the recommendations of the Board of En- gineers, and the result is, that the apparatus is in better condition for service, than at any previous time. The Board will be as ever watchful in having all necessary repairs made, that they may be ready for any emergency that can possibly arise. "Eternal vigilance is the price of safety." We have five, hand hose carriages with whiffle-tree attached to the tongue of apparatus, which in case of fire are taken from the horses and drawn by the members, until overtaken by horses obtained from livery stables- a very objectionable method, for if horses were permanently employed, double the quantity of hose could be carried on the reels and the men arrive at a fire fresh, and in better condition for work; the force of this is apparent, when the formation of the ground upon which the business portion of the city is built is taken into consideration ; being in a valley, streets with very steep grades have to be overcome, making the hauling at times. slow and difficult to reach the desired point. I would suggest the propriety of altering these carriages so as to have them drawn by horses, and have one or more of them removed to the outer districts, where they have no fire protection. I would recommend that Hose five and two be changed to horse carriages as soon as our finances will admit. I would also recommend that a light one-horse tender be added to the apparatus of the. Department, to carry light ladders and six small extinguishers- perhaps it would be advisable to make this change in place of one-horse hose carriage; in dealing with a fire, the element of time is the most important factor in the matter of its extin- guishment. Hose Carriages numbers one and two will need thorough repairs the coming year to make them reliable and effective, due economy will be observed by having the men in the Department make all such as can be conveniently done in the engine house.
PROTECTIVE DEPARTMENT.
The Board of Engineers desire to reiterate their previously expressed opinion of the value and efficiency of the Fire Patrol, as an auxiliary of the Department; its members are exceedingly
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active and earnest in the discharge of the important duties devolving upon them, the record of the company continues good, and they have been of great service to the Department during the past year, and been the means of saving much property liable to be injured by fire, water or smoke. They have answered all alarms and in many cases have extinguished incip- ient fires by the use of the small extinguishers. It is their duty to cover goods with their waterproof covers, and when necessary, to remove them from the building and protect them. Before the existence of the Fire Patrol, great loss and injury were sustained by the unnecessary removal of property, they have also done away with thieving at fires, as it is their duty to keep all improper persons out of the building and off the grounds.
The Patrol take charge of all goods at the commencement of a fire and remain after it is extinguished, when they leave it in charge of the owners or their representatives. When an investi- gation is necessary as to the cause of a fire, the members of the Patrol can and do render efficient aid in getting at the truth of the matter. In all their various duties your Honorable body will perceive that they perform them faithfully, their services in saving property exposed to destruction by fire and water, having saved large sums to the uninsured, and their efficiency is acknowledged by all who have given any attention to fire matters.
The Patrol are supported almost entirely by the Insurance Companies of the city, although their services are rendered to the public. This is subjecting a special class of business to taxa- tion which is not felt by other classes, and is consequently wrong. Why the Patrol should be supported by one class, any more than the Fire Department or the Police is difficult to determine. When they go to a fire, they protect the property of the insured and uninsured alike, they labor for the public good, and incidentally but not exclusively in the interests of the Insurance Companies. That the public should contribute nothing towards their support has been felt by the Insurance Companies to be a hardship, and every fair minded man will grant that it is so. The company as an auxiliary of the Fire Department cannot well be dispensed with, and the Board of Engineers will
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continue to foster and encourage this branch of the Department, that it may maintain its present high state of efficiency.
HOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
There is nothing so indispensible as good reliable hose ; and for the furtherance of this end, the Board of Engineers with the consent and authority of your Honorable body, have taken measures to procure the best in the market. 1,000 feet of car- bolized rubber, and 1,500 feet of leather hose has been purchased the past year, we have now in service 4,000 feet of rubber in good condition, 1,000 feet has been thrown out of service ; 9,000 feet of leather, of which 6,000 feet is in good condition, 2,000 feet in fair condition and 1,000 feet has been discarded. We have also 2,800 feet of cotton hose of the " American Jacket " made by Messrs. Sibley of Chelsea, which is in good condition ; it may be advisable to buy a small quantity the coming year. Firemen cannot successfully combat fires when hose is continually burst- ing, therefore in purchasing I have always found that the best is the cheapest.
Nothing is so discouraging to the firemen as to find after placing a line of hose at a point where a stream is very much needed, that the water is kept wholly or partially back by leaky or broken hose, thus giving the fire a chance to obtain headway, and running a needless risk of an extensive conflagration. It is very important that officials in all Fire Departments understand the paramount importance of having the best quality of hose without regard to cost, and unless this is the governing idea in such purchases, it is of small account what else is done in equipping Departments. Costly engines, abundant supplies, admirable discipline, fire alarms and quick movements, all these are com- paratively of little worth, unless the hose will endure the pres- sure to be put upon it. If the hose fails everything fails except the fire, and that rushes ahead over the paralyzed firemen. What the Department needs, and we mean they shall have, is reliable hose and plenty of it, that can be depended upon in all situa- tions. Give the firemen this and as the apparatus of the Depart-
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ment is in good condition, we will guarantee to the citizens that their property shall have ample protection.
HORSES.
The number of horses in the Department are fifteen, three are attached to Steamer No. 1, three to Steamer No. 2, two to Hook and Ladder No. 1, two are in use by the Fire Patrol, and one each on Steamer No. 3, Hose Nos. 6 and 7 and the Babcock Extinguisher, and one is kept for the use of the Superintendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph.
One horse has died during the past year and one purchased to take its place. The average expense for feeding each horse has been twenty-four cents per day. This comparative small expense is due to care in the purchase of feed, the market has been carefully watched, and when prices were low to procure a stock; by this method better feed is procured.
The peculiar duty required of horses in this service makes them more liable to sickness and injury than otherwise. Several of the horses have been in use twelve and thirteen years, and they continue to do good service on account of the excellent care taken of them. To preserve the efficiency of this impor- tant branch of the service, I recommend that some of them be exchanged for younger horses, as it is of vital importance that there should be no delay in getting the apparatus to a fire. In making the necessary changes, great care should be taken in selecting horses that would always be reliable, as an unmanage- able, baulky horse would be worthless for fire duty; it is important that these changes should be made, therefore the Board will look carefully after this branch of the Department, and trust that your Honorable Body will see the necessity, and sanction the necessary outlay to keep the horses up to the proper standard.
WATER AND HYDRANTS.
This important branch of the service has received the faithful and careful attention of the Water Board, and the worthy
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Superintendent, Mr. Frank E. Hall, and the Department appre- ciates what has been done towards giving us additional facilities for a supply of water in case of fire; still there is a demand for more hydrants in certain districts. The steady growth of our city requires constant care and watchfulness, that every portion of it may be cared for in that direction. The Fire Department thus far has been able to prevent serious conflagrations, but we know not the day when our present water facilities will be put to a test. In a country like ours which is blessed with such an abundant supply of water, we are apt to be wasteful of it, and when the day of necessity comes, we find that we are unequal to the emergency. In our city economy in the use of water is becoming an absolute necessity, and instead of seeking how to save, we too often by great and unnecessary expenditure of money strive to increase the quantity by adding new sources of supply. So long as no limit exists, and the prudent citizen is subject to injury by his more careless neighbor, there can be no regulation of this matter; but the adoption of some system by which the wasteful citizen pays for his neglect, will, I am satis- fied, economise the use and prevent any danger of a failure in the supply. There is no doubt but that the waste of water in this city exceeds the amount actually used; would it not be true economy to oblige water takers to put on water meters, these little detectives would put an end to the necessity for a further supply from other sources. Your attention is respect- fully called to the necessity of locating new hydrants, as the Department should have the means at hand by which they can successfully combat fires in every section of the city. The manual force of this Department is fully equal to any in New England, but cannot render efficient service without an abundant supply of water within a reasonable distance from the fire.
CHEMICAL ENGINE.
The Chemical Engine continues to give satisfaction to the Board of Engineers, and has worked well during the past year. Although it is not located in the business portion of the city it has responded promptly to all alarms, and rendered important
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service at fires, in many instances extinguished them, thus avoiding flooding the building with water. In giving due credit to the Chemical Engine we do not mean to depreciate the value of our Steamers and Hose Carriages, as they cannot be dispensed with, but our policy is, to extinguish the fire with the least possible loss to the owner. In the history of other Departments, in many cases more damage has been done by water than fire ; for small fires the Chemical Engine is indispensable, as after the locality of the fire is ascertained, a stream can at once be placed upon it ; it is also well known that in case of burning oil and some other fluids, water is utterly useless, then the Chemical Engine has the advantage and works successfully, another recommendation is that it requires only a small force to operate it. We therefore still adhere to the opinion that no Fire Depart- ment is complete withot one or more Chemical Engines.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
The citizens of Worcester have no reason to regret the outlay necessary to keep up this important branch of the Fire Depart- ment. Many old residents will remember the difficulties that existed in ascertaining the locality of a fire before we had our present telegraphic system, and certainly cannot desire to go back to old methods, when the whole Department was called out at every alarm, and only a small portion were put into ser- vice. Now the exact location is ascertained, and the companies which are needed are alone called out, those being called into service which are within a reasonable distance from the fire.
The Fire Alarm Telegraph places the whole Fire Department under complete control of the Board of Engineers, subject to call as they may be needed, and property owners are at the same time informed whether their own buildings are in danger, or in close proximity to the fire. Under the present excellent system, no time is lost and it is almost impossible for a fire to attain much headway in this city, without the telegraph's delays would occur at just the critical time, and thus occasion the loss of large amounts of property ; a few minutes time at the com- mencement of a fire is worth hours after it is under full head-
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way. The greatest care should be taken to ring in an alarm from the box nearest the fire, as it is very important that the firemen should not be sent in the wrong direction.
The position of superintendent, filled by Assistant Engineer Wm. Brophy is a very responsible one, and he has proved himself equal to all emergencies, and I take commendable pride in acknowledging his valuable services, and the mechanical manner in which he has superintended the management of the line. If a break occurs in the wire by day or night, he must seek for it and make the necessary repairs without delay, as it is absolutely necessary for the safety of the city that the wires should be kept intact. I would again recommend that additional Signal Stations be put in, in the following localities: Corner of Millbury and Cambridge streets, corner of Grove and North streets, and corner of Irving and Chatham streets, corner West and Bowdoin streets, and there are other places where Signal Stations are needed, the people who are assessed for the gen- eral expenditures have a right to demand that their property should be protected. Last year telegraphic communication was established between all the houses where permanent men are employed and the chief office ; the dials on the circuit have been removed and the telephone substituted, and has worked to the satisfaction of all, saving time and travel for the men as well as the Chief Engineer. Many instances might be cited when the telephone has proved itself so valuable that, we could not do well without it, and as our telegraphic communications have worked so well, I see no good reason for recommending a change, except more Signal Stations, which are very much needed to make the line complete.
LADDERS AND FIRE ESCAPES.
The more densely populated a city becomes and desirable sites in central localities for building are not readily found, the greater the tendency to erect stores and factories four, five, and even six stories high. With the additional height the danger to life increases in the same ratio, and it has tested the ingenuity of our mechanics to devise some method by which to save the
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lives of those unfortunate enough to be imprisoned in the upper stories of a building on fire, with no way open for escape on the inside ; their only dependence is in the chance for help from the Hook and Ladder Companies with extension ladders, unless the building has, what all high buildings should have, permanent fire escapes. The firemen are expected to risk their own lives in the effort to save those who are in danger, and the men who compose our Department never shrink from the performance of every duty, in view of the liability to accidents incident to fires in our highest buildings, our Department should have an ade- quate supply of the best fire ladder known in the country, and I still adhere to my opinion that the Bangor Extension Ladder is the best. .
The Hook and Ladder companies compose an important branch of the Fire Department, and should have the benefit of the latest improvements in regard to carriages and ladders. Your Honorable Body has been liberal in appropriating money to purchase new and improved apparatus for extinguishing fire and saving property, and some decided action should be taken to compel owners of factories and workshops where life is endangered, to erect and maintain fire escapes. I have repeat- edly called your attention to to this subject, considering it to be one of at least equal importance with that of saving property. Because Worcester has been for years exempt from serious casualties does not render us any the less liable to have cause to regret our negligence in this matter. One of the greatest defi- ciencies in the fire service in this country is the lack of long, serviceable ladders, the best of our extension ladders and the only ones that are safe, are but sixty-five feet long, and fall far short of reaching the roofs of many buildings in this city.
HOUSES.
The most of the houses are in good condition, and only a moderate outlay will be required to keep them in good order the coming year. The house of Steamer Company No. 4 has been enlarged by an addition of twenty-feet, an improvement much needed, and gives them ample room for apparatus and men. The
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house occupied by Hose Company No. 1, should be enlarged to give them better sleeping accommodations. The house of Hose Company No. 2, is in very bad condition, no doubt there will be a new one built the coming year, as an order for the same has already passed the City Council. All the engine houses with but two exceptions are now provided with sleeping accom- modations and bath-rooms. We believe that the better the houses are furnished, the better class of men can be obtained, and I would like to suggest to the powers that be, that every engine house in this city should be more liberally furnished than they are, and should not only be made comfortable, but attrac- tive. The permanent men are obliged to spend all their time in these quarters, and surely their services entitle them to at least the ordinary comforts of civilized life ; in many of the com- panies large sums have been expended in fitting up their sleeping rooms and halls, which is a credit to them; but the city should do this and not oblige the companies to do it out of their scanty earnings.
EXPENDITURE.
The expenditures for the year have amounted to $41,070.09, Revenue $1,166.67, leaving an unexpended balance of $3,096.58. Some of our citizens think there is no occasion to expend so much money upon the Fire Department, because we have few serious fires, but let the Department become disorganized on account of the want of the proper means for the extinguishment of fires, and there would be a change of opinion. To prevent the destruction of property it is highly essential that first-class apparatus, with horses and experienced men to handle them, should be provided by those whose duty it is to see that nothing is wanting to make the Department in every respect an efficient one. It is very poor economy to reduce the expenses of any organization so much as to impair its efficiency-the best is generally the cheapest in the end. The great difficulty of estimat- ing the expenses of the Fire Department can be readily seen by any one, as it is impossible to know what damage may occur to apparatus, or how many Alarms we may have; the amount for
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the past year has not exceeded the estimates, as will be seen, closing the year with an unexpended balance of $3,096 58. It is gratifying to the officers and members of the Department to know that the large sum which is annually necessary to maintain the Department in proper working order, is cheerfully appropri- ated by the City Council, and it is by no means a bad investment, but one which brings good results, and produces a feeling of security which would not exist, had we not a force so thoroughly equipped, who are "always ready" when an opportunity offers to save property from destruction by fire. The Board will earnestly endeavour in the future, as it has in the past, to economize as far as possible in the expenditures, without allow- ing the best interests of the City to suffer.
FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
This Association was organized in June, 1874, and a Charter has been procured for it the past year from the State. The organization thus far has been able to render relief to its mem- bers, and been the means of accomplishing much good, by relieving the wants of firemen disabled while in the perform- ance of their duties. As these men serve for a small compensa- tion, devoting their time and imperiling their lives for the benefit of others, it should be the duty of the community they serve, to provide for them in case they meet with accident, and for their families where death ensues. In fact, firemen should be provided with pensions by communities, as soldiers are by the government, but the public has not yet been educated up to such an appreciation of the services of the firemen, as will warrant such action; most of them are men of moderate means, it therefore remains for the firemen to make such provisions for themselves and families as they can.
The Association has a small relief fund, this fund has been increased from time to time by donations from citizens who appreciate the value of the firemen's services, and the dangers they have to encounter; in this manner they give it their en- couragement and support, for which they have the thanks of
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the Board of Trustees acting in behalf of its members. Our citizens can in this way manifest in a substantial manner their interest in the Fire Department, and aid those who become sick and disabled while in the service of the public, and we cannot too highly commend this Association as worthy of the notice and patronage of the benevolent among our citizens.
CONCLUSION.
In summing up the results of the year just closed, I feel that I am justified in saying, that it has been a prosperous one for the Fire Department. Its condition has been improved, and an advance made in the tone and conduct of the men composing it. It will not be out of place here to express the cordial and hearty thanks of this Department, to the Temperance Union of Ladies who have so kindly furnished coffee and other refresh- ments to the men when on duty, and it is my opinion that the moral effect has been good, as it has certainly done away with the use of spirituous liquors at fires. It is doubtful if a course of lectures, or a series of temperance rallies would have produced a like result. The Board of Engineers have taken great pains to obtain correct information in regard to all matters that would tend to improve the condition and well being of the Department, and I believe that every member of the organization takes an honest pride in its success. It is our duty, as well as pleasure, to express in the strongest terms our admiration for the excellent conduct and the hearty support the officers and men have given this Board, and to bear testimony to the discipline and efficiency of the force. The citizens of Worcester are almost unanimous in praising the good conduct of the Department, and many who have seen its workings who are residents of distant cities, have concurred in this opinion.
We have in this report given details, recommendations and suggestions, and have endeavored in the briefest manner pos- sible, to present to you all matters of importance for your consideration, it has been our aim to have the Department ready to meet any contingency that might arise, and doubtless
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your Honorable Body will readily grant all that is necessary to keep the Department up to its present high state of efficiency.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
I desire to express my personal acknowledgments to his Honor the Mayor, for his uniform courtesy and interest mani- fested by him in all matters connected with this Department. The City Marshal and Police officers, Mr. Frank E. Hall, water commissioner, and Charles H. Peck, superintendent of public buildings, will please accept the expression of my approbation for their valuable assistance and co-operation at fires, and the cordiality manifested towards me and the Department during the year.
I desire to express my sincere thanks to the members of the Standing Committee on Fire Department of the City Council, for their uniform courtesy, cordial support and hearty endors- ment of all matters designed for the improvement of the Department.
I feel under deep obligation to the Honorable City Council for its support of the measures which I had the honor to recom- mend, as well as their earnest desire as far as possible to make the Department effective and fully equipped in every branch.
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