USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1881 > Part 18
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An increase in the number of permanent men would be a sub- stantial benefit to the Department, as it would facilitate the early reaching of fires, at a time when most needed. I would respect- fully renew my recommendation, - the addition of one more permanent man at each house, - as, necessarily, they have to be absent at meal times, and occasionally at other times ; this change would insure promptness and avoid dangerous delays.
The liberality shown by the City Government in acceding to the recommendations of the Board of Engineers has placed the Department in such a position as to extend ample protection to all sections of the city. This will especially be the case after the new house is finished and the apparatus located there, which will afford protection to a part of the city which is growing rapidly. I would call your special attention to the necessity of purchasing a new Hook and Ladder Carriage for the new house, or, if that is not deemed advisable, to have one of our old ones repaired, so that this important branch of the Department may be kept up to the proper standard. This change, with alteration of Hose No. 1 from hand to horse, will add to the efficiency and promptness of the Department. I would recommend that a new Hose Carriage be purchased for Hose No. 1, as the cost of altering the hand carriage would be quite an item.
I cannot too earnestly call your attention to the fact that we are fearfully deficient in ladders ; and I would recommend the purchase, at the earliest possible moment, three Bangor Extension Ladders, as the old spliced ladders are out of date and should not be used - in fact they cannot be used, as the obstruction of tele- graph wires makes it impossible to raise them in most of our streets, so that it is absolutely necessary that others should take their places ; at a late fire it was almost impossible to raise one, causing a delay in getting at the fire, much to the annoy- ance of the firemen, and very much increasing the danger of the fire obtaining headway. I sincerely trust that these recommen-
279
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
dations and suggestions may receive early and favorable atten- tion from your honorable body and the Committee on Fire Department.
THE PROTECTIVE DEPARTMENT.
The value and efficiency of the Fire Patrol as an auxiliary of the Department is fully appreciated by the Board of Engineers. The Patrol has spread during the year one hundred and eighty- eight (188) covers on property that was insured, and one hun- dred and eight (108) covers on property that was not insured ; and fifteen roof covers; and extinguished quite a number of incipient fires. Its members are prompt and earnest in the discharge of their duties, and the record of the company con- tinues good. The members of the Patrol respond to all alarms and are always on the ground promptly, ready to cover goods with water-proof covers, or to remove them from the burning building and protect them from being injured by water, and also from thieves who generally hang round a fire and steal what- ever may fall in their way ; by preventing the useless removal of property they have rendered valuable service to the owners, as practice renders the members of the Patrol capable of judging in regard to the neccessity of removal, and their judgment has in nearly every instance proved correct. The Fire Patrol has worked in harmony with the Department and has saved much property that would otherwise have been destroyed, or made of little value to the owner; and they have proved themselves equally efficient in saving uninsured as well as insured property. Since the organization of the Patrol, thieving has almost ceased at fires, and the firemen have been relieved from the responsi- bility of the care of goods, and now have an opportunity to give their whole time and attention to the fire.
Every fire of any magnitude is quite sure to attract a crowd, and just so surely is every phase of human nature displayed in that crowd, but among the multitudes who assemble, how few there are who fully appreciate the work of the firemen or know how a fire is managed ; many wish to volunteer advice and perhaps think that if they were at the head of the Department
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
they could do better ; the firemen are relieved from this annoy- ance, as it is one of the duties of the Patrol to keep all such persons out of the way, leaving the men trained to the business to manage the fire without being bothered by meddlesome peo- ple. The Protective Department has proved its value and has become indispensable as an aid to the Department.
HORSES.
The number of horses in the Department is seventeen (17), three are attached to Steamer No. 1, two to Hook and Ladder No. 1, two are in use by the Fire Patrol, and one each by Hose Nos. 2, 5, 6 and 7, and one each on Extinguisher and Steamer No. 3, and one spare horse used by the Superintendent of Fire Alarm. During the past year three horses have been sold and three purchased to take their places; it will be necessary to pur- chase four and equip with new harnesses the coming year for the apparatus in the new house, and provided Hose No. 1 is changed from hand to horse a new one will be needed for their carriage, also a harness ; and I would recommend that a horse and permanent man be put into Steamer No. 4 house at New Worcester, as it would be a great protection to that part of our growing city. It requires the exercise of care and good judg- ment in purchasing horses for the Fire Department, as there is no kind of work in which horses are engaged that needs so many good qualities as are absolutely necessary for horses used for fire purposes ; they are suddenly called out without regard to weather, and must start off with speed whether the streets are blocked with snow, or in good or bad condition ; the intelli- gent animals are of great help to the Fire Department when trained as they are in our city. In London the Department is supported at great cost, but at every alarm of fire, from five to ten minutes are lost in hitching up and getting started ; possibly it has never occurred to our English cousins that their horses can be trained to back from their stalls and take their positions at the pole of the steamers and hose carriages at the stroke of the alarm, thus saving time when every second is valuable. To look
281
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
carefully after this branch of the service is economy, as without reliable horses there would delays occur in reaching fires which would in many instances prove disastrous.
CHEMICAL ENGINES.
The Chemical Engine fills an important place in the Depart- ment and could not well be dispensed with ; it has worked to the entire satisfaction of the Board of Engineers during the past year, and has been promptly on hand at all fires. I am still of the opinion that no Fire Department is complete without one or more Chemical Engines. In many instances the use of an extinguisher saves a large amount of damage to a building which would ensue if it were flooded with water; water is the only great natural enemy and conqueror of fire after it once obtains headway, but for small fires the Chemical Engine is valuable. The small extinguishers used by the Protective Department and the Hose Companies have proved a great convenience, and I see no reason to regret their introduction. In according to the Chemical Engine and the smaller extin- gnishers due credit, still they are but an auxiliary force, and efficient helpers at a time when most needed, of the Fire Depart- ment as a whole.
WATER AND HYDRANTS.
For the protection of the property of the citizens of our rapidly-growing city, it is necessary that there should be an abundant supply of water for the use of the Fire Department, and that hydrants should be located as near each other as practi- cable, which will be an important aid to the force in extinguish- ing fires before they have gained much headway. With a Department that is composed of men fully equal to those of any other city in New England, still fires will take place in buildings where there is a large amount of combustible material and obtain headway, but the record of the Worcester Fire Department is sufficient to prove that this does not often occur in our favored city. This branch of the service has received the
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
constant care of the committee on water and the efficient Superintendent, Mr. F. E. Hall, and much has been done towards giving us additional facilities for a water supply in case of fire, but still there is a demand for more hydrants. The city is spreading out and every portion should be cared for and the number of hydrants increased so that we shall be equal to any emergency. Water is the most common and efficient means employed by the Fire Department to extinguish fires, and pre- vent the spread of a conflagration endangering life and property, yet water is a destructive element and in some cases plays a more conspicuous part in the destruction of property than the fire itself. It is not the whole duty of the Board of Engineers, or of a company, to shut its eyes and throw an endless shower of water in the direction of a burning building; it should throw water when and where it is needed, carefully weighing the rights and interests of the owners of endangered property, and the rights and interests of the public at large, or at least those interested in other property that may fall in the track of the fire. No general rule or set of rules can be laid down that would be applicable to every case of fire, as regards the saving of property from injury by water employed to extinguish it ; there are hardly two cases alike ; the rule that would apply in the case of an isolated building would have no application in case of fire in a compact city. No one would claim that property should be saved from injury by water if the effort would seriously endanger other property and human life, when the duty is conceded to rest upon the Fire Department to save and protect property from water as well as fire, - then the per- formance of that duty in every case must rest in the sound discre- tion of those whose right and business it is to direct the efforts of particular organizations engaged.
LADDERS AND FIRE ESCAPES.
The most noticeable deficiency of modern Fire Departments is that of ladders. We have our Hook and Ladder trucks equipped with any number of short ladders, and with extension ladders which can be readily put together and will reach to a
283
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
height of about sixty feet ; but even these are cumbersome compared to what a quick-service ladder should be, and their length falls far short of the requirements. It is only necessary to refer to the columns of the newspapers giving accounts of the terrible sacrifice of human life at the Ring Theatre, Vienna, to make any one partly realize without being an actual partici- pant in such a holocaust, the vast importance of having all buildings, especially where large gatherings of people are held, provided with sure and practicable means of escape in case of fire, or panic of any kind. In stores and large warehouses fires at the present day spread so rapidly, owing to pine sheathing walls and much combustible material, that escape from a burn- ing building of such description invariably takes place from the outside ; and a person who erects blocks four, five and six stories high without providing every possible means of escape should be held criminally responsible. The idea of economizing in this matter should not balance for an instant with the value of human life. The firemen who nobly forget their own lives in their efforts to rescue others, need every safeguard in the matter of ladders to aid them in their perilous duties. I earnestly hope your honorable body will give this subject more than a passing thought, and that you will purchase three or more Bangor Extension Ladders.
HOUSES.
Changes have been made from year to year until the houses of the Department are generally in a satisfactory condition. The new house on Prescott Street contains all the modern improvements and is a model house in every respect; it is as thorough and complete in all its appointments as any Engine House in New England, and is a credit to the city, and one in which the firemen will take both pleasure and pride. The loca- tion of this house and apparatus will afford protection and security to a large amount of most valuable property. A portion of the houses have been made more attractive than before; the more attractive the houses are made the higher the standard of membership will become. Let our liberal citizens who cannot fail to appreciate the dangers and hardships that
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
firemen are called to undergo, contribute from their means to help beautify the houses and also manifest their interest by visit- ing the firemen and personally inspecting their rooms and how they are kept; these visits will always be found gratifying to the firemen, and will furnish an additional reason why the members of the force should keep their quarters in a satisfactory condi- tion to receive their friends at any time. The permanent men are deprived of many of the privileges of home, and the more quiet homelike associations by which they may be surrounded the more contented and happy the men will become.
It will be necessary to build a new house in the vicinity of Cambridge and Millbury Streets at no distant day. I would recommend that the house of Steamer No. 4 at New Worcester be so altered as to accommodate one horse and a permanent man ; it can be done without any great expense ; sleeping apart- ments are already there ; the only expense would be to put in one stall, and bath rooms, which are very essential to the health of the men employed in the Department ; suitable bath rooms could be provided at small cost, which perhaps as much as any one thing would promote the health and vigor of the men who are always on duty. I would suggest that this house receive your early attention, as it is located in a part of the city that is growing fast, and the water. supply in this locality is abundant for all practical purposes.
FIRE ALARM.
In this progressive and inventive age, but few ideas have been of more practical value than the Fire Alarm. It was a long leap forward to that perfection of system that it was desired to attain, but successful as is the Fire Alarm the Telephone fills an important place. The telephone is in all the houses of the Department where there are permanent men ; this is the reason why one sometimes sees the apparatus under way to a fire before the alarm has been sounded throughout the city. The telephone has proved itself one of the greatest aids to the prompt working of the Department ; it saves time, trouble and expense; but with the utmost care on the part of the Electrician failures will
285
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
occasionally occur, which may be attributed to wires of the Department being in collision with other wires, which are pro- fusely stretched over all the business portion of the city. The Fire Alarm should be kept in perfect order ; should this fail, it is evident that fires would soon obtain uncontrolable headway. We are in need of more Alarm Boxes ; the Board of Engineers holding the opinion that investments of this character are both judicious and profitable to the city, as a frequency of alarm stations enhances the chances of early alarms, thereby giving the Department the advantage of an early start, which must result in materially lessening losses by fire and water. We are in need of more Alarm Boxes, and I would suggest that they be in sufficient number to meet the rapid growth of the city.
EXPENDITURES.
The expenditures of the year have been $44,951.88; the revenue $1,182.33 ; the appropriation for the year was $46,000, which with revenue added makes $47,182.33, which after de- ducting the expenses for the year leaves a balance of $2,230.45. These sums may appear large to some of our citizens, but is not so considering that to secure proper protection for the property of our citizens, it is not only necessary to have first class appa- ratus but also intelligent and efficient men. It would be most injudicious to reduce the expenses to such an extent as to impair the good working of the organization.
To counteract the dangerous elements that have been intro- duced of late years, the firemen must increase their vigilance, and our city government see to it that they are provided plenti- fully with the best of appliances for doing their work. To neg- lect the Fire Department is to invite destruction ; economy in the matter of fire equipments is to save at the spigot and waste at the bung. But a duty devolves upon the heads of Fire Depart- ments in this connection which they should not ignore ; that is, to make known distinctly to the city authorities what is neces- sary to render their Department efficient, and to point out clearly the danger to which our city is exposed, and make our demand
20
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
boldly for what we deem necessary to give adequate protection. Cities are apt to be penurious with their firemen and then blame them when disaster comes ; to escape this censure, heads of De- partments should in advance put the responsibility where it belongs and say to our city government and committee on fire department, "our common danger lies here, give us the means and we will protect you from it; refuse us the means and the responsibility lies with you and not with us." The city govern- ment has always been ready to make liberal appropriations to keep the Department to its present standard.
FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
This association was organized in 1874 and received its charter in 1878. The principal object is to furnish to firemen relief who may be disabled or in any manner injured while doing fire duty. This association commends itself especially as one which deserves and should receive liberal support from the benevolent among our citizens. To those who have manifested an interest-and many have-the Board of Directors tender their sincere thanks. Our disabled firemen are not pensioned, and this plan of mutual relief is the best which presents itself. The regular assessments upon its members are not sufficient to create a fund such as it ought to have to guard against any and all emergencies. The association has paid to those injured during the year the follow- ing sums : to G. N. Rawson, injured at a fire February 8th, 1881, $40.00 ; July 9th, Alva Newcomb $20.00, John Horgan $30.00 ; October 7th, Albert Young $20.00. The income for the year amounted to $278.54. . Balance in favor of the association $142.54. Amount on deposit January 10th, 1882, $2,633.47.
CONCLUSION.
In bringing this report to a close I am justified in saying that the results of the year have been very satisfactory, and a pros- perous year for the Fire Department. I take pleasure in acknowledging the faithful support of the members of the De- partment, who are entitled to great credit for the satisfactory
287
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
manner in which they have discharged their several duties, for which they have doubtless the approval of all our citizens, in which case we are satisfied. I desire to tender my sincere and hearty thanks to the officers and members of the Department for the prompt and efficient manner in which they have performed their duties. Well may our citizens be proud of her firemen, and I report with unbounded satisfaction the many acknowledge- ments of praise for your care and caution in preserving the property of such of our citizens as have been so unfortunate as to require your services. This honor is yours, gentlemen ; none has fallen upon my shoulders during the past that I would accept save as your representative. To the members of the Police force I am under renewed obligations for their hearty co-operation with the firemen in saving and protecting the prop- erty of our citizens. It is exceedingly gratifying to know that the utmost harmony exists between the two departments and that nothing has occurred to mar the amicable and cordial rela- tions so productive of good to the public. To the Committee on Fire Department for their support and encouragement my thanks are especially due. To the Board of Engineers, and finally to his Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen and City Council I am under renewed obligation for their generous sup- port given to me, which has assured the constant improvement of the Department which I have had the honor and pleasure to serve as Chief Engineer.
Respectfully submitted.
S. E. COMBS,
Chief of Department.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation,
$46,000 00
RECEIVED.
For Labor of men and teams,
$514 00
Oats,
9 20
Old copper,
140 00
Horses,
300 00
Manure,
121 13
Hose and couplings,
76 00
Wheels and pole,
10 00
Rent of roof of engine house,
12 00
$1,182 33
$47,182 33
EXPENDED.
For Salary of S. E. Combs, Chief Engineer,
$1,200 00
" Wm. Brophy, Assistant Engineer,
1,000 00
" G. N. Rawson,
225 00
" Sam'l H. Day, Clerk,
320 83
66
" Jerh. Hennessy,
208 34
66 " John W. Loring,
(bal.)
16 66
Pay roll of men, Steamer No. 1,
1,417 58
" 2,
1,370 05
66
66
66
4,
1,256 25
66
66
Hose Co. " 1,
1,077 25
66
66
2,
1,033 75
66
1,088 25
66
66 ɔ̃,
1,027 25
66
66
6,
1,024 25
66
7,
1,028 25
66
66
Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1,
2,121 25
66
66
66
2,
1,544 25
66
66
Babcock Extinguisher,
373 00
66
66
Stewards and drivers,
8,638 95
Horses,
745 00
New apparatus,
189 80
Repairs of apparatus,
434 21
Repairs of houses,
584 00
Alarms for fire,
114 00
Materials for and repairs of telegraph,
367 10
Horses for drawing apparatus,
978 00
Hose and repairs of same,
96 03
66
66
3,
1,474 92
66
4,
and
289
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
For Harnesses, blankets and repairs of same,
329 53
Repairs of wagons and carts,
3 50
Hay, grain and straw,
1,656 28
Medicine and attendance on horses,
19 15
Oil, soap, brushes, &c.,
186 97
Coal and wood,
520 01
Gas,
386 89
Printing,
151 09
Advertising,
70
Blacksmithing,
354 42
Freight, trucking and express,
21 12
Furniture, fixtures and repairs of same,
220 70
Stationery, stamps, &c.,
46 10
Hardware, tools, &c.,
210 55
Paints and oil,
32 86
Badges,
4 50
Castings,
2 42
Hack hire,
56 00
Rent of power,
25 00
Rent of telephone,
110 00
Washing bedding, &c.,
232 99
Traveling expenses of Engineers,
4 95
Sprinkling on Mechanic and School Streets,
10 00
Repairs on Beacon Street House,
207 48
Clerical labor,
6 00
Iron and steel,
3 63
Painting and repairs on wagon,
13 50
Ice,
5 52
Clipping horse,
2 00
Prescott Street Engine House :
Contract, paid Jerh. Murphy,
$8,585 85
Extra work,
2 03
Digging cellar,
137 79
Plans for house,
320 85
Engineering,
24 76
Advertising,
13
Water pipe and labor,
: 28
Grading,
77 11
Hack hire,
1 00
Insurance,
10 00
$9,173 80
$44,951 88
Balance,
$2,230 45
Amount carried to Sinking Fund,
$121 30
Balance carried forward to new account,
2,109 15
$2,230 45
ALARMS OF FIRE, 1881.
Jan. 1, 11 A. M. Box 68. A small frame building on Wall street, owned and occupied by Joseph Stott for a rag shop. Also, a small barn owned by same. Cause of fire, an overheated stove. Loss on real estate $400.00. Loss on personal estate $300.00. Not insured.
Jan. 2, 12.30 A. M. Box 5. A one-story brick building corner of Green and Plymouth streets, owned by Patrick Ward and occupied by George Knowlton as a drug store. Cause of fire, incendiary. Real estate not insured. Loss $200.00. Personal estate insured $1,000.00. Loss $500.00. Jan. 5, 5.10 P. M. Still Alarm. A two-story brick building at New Wor- cester, owned and occupied by Albert Curtis as a factory. Cause of fire probably from the picker. Real estate not insured. Loss $400.00. Per- sonal estate insured $1,000.00. Loss $25.00.
· Jan. 12, 6.45 P. M. Box 6. A one-story brick building, No. 27 Gold street, owned and occupied by Caleb Colvin as an iron foundry. Cause of fire the stack set the roof on fire. Real estate insured $4,000.00. Loss $70.00.
Jan. 13, 5.55 P. M. Box 63. A four-story brick building, corner of Shrews- bury and Mulberry streets, owned by E. T. Smith & Co., and occupied by E. T. Smith & Co., wholesale grocers, Smith and Green, groceries, Whit- comb Brothers, boot and shoe manufacturers, and E.N. Dean, manufacturer of boot and shoe heels. The fire originated in the upper story occupied by E. N. Dean, from carelessly lighting fire with naphtha leather chips. Insurance on building and stock $118,500.00. Loss on real estate $1,800 .- 00. Loss on personal estate $21,606.41.
Jan. 18, 9.15 P. M. Still Alarm. A four-story brick building, No. 116 Front street, owned by C. C. Houghton and occupied by Armington & Co., grocers, and E. N. Childs, boot manufacturer. Fire originated in the fourth story from putting ashes in a wooden box. Extinguished by Steamer Company No. 1. Real estate insured. Loss $15.00.
Jan. 25, 9 P. M. Still Alarm. From Mechanics Hall, No. 321 Main street, caused by the explosion of an alcohol lamp. Extinguished by James C. Luby of the Fire Patrol. No loss.
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