USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1887 > Part 16
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shall report to the officer in command, and when on duty wear his fire-hat.
He shall have, under the direction of the Chief of Depart- ment, general supervision and management of all the tele- graph apparatus belonging to the Department, and every thing pertaining to the same. He shall keep the same at all times in perfect working order, and repair all breaks in the most expeditious manner, reporting to the Chief of Depart- ment for all necessary supplies, and such improvements as he may think advisable. When additional help is necessary, he will make application to the Chief of Department; and, when in the immediate vicinity of the Department houses, he may obtain the assistance of the regular members, by direc- tion of the Chief of Department. He shall give necessary instructions to persons in the Department and to key-holders. He shall devote his whole time to the duties of the position.
ENGINEERS.
The engineers shall have full control of the engine, bunk, and meeting rooms and basements, and shall report to the Chief of Department at once the name of any member of the Department, or other person, guilty of any disorderly conduct, or violation of the rules and regulations ; also any damage which their apparatus, or any part of it, their houses, or furniture, may have sustained. They shall keep an account of all supplies that come to the station, and promptly report when materials are required for use; keep their engines at all times in condition for immediate service. De- lays or accidents resulting from neglect will be sufficient cause for suspension or discharge. They shall instruct their stokers in the management of the engines. The use of all
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patent preparations for cleaning the metal is strictly pro- hibited. All material for polishing will be furnished from headquarters. Keep the safety valve set at eighty pounds, and run the engines according to the line of hose ; a hun- dred pounds will be carried only when working through an extra long line, or two lines of, say, five hundred feet each. Water-pressure will never exceed a hundred pounds, except on special order from the Chief or Assistant Chief of Depart- ment.
The following whistle-signals will be made use of in this Department until further orders : -
One whistle, signals pipemen to look out for water.
Two whistles, signal for burst hose. Three whistles, signal for coal.
Two short and one long whistle, signal, " Make up."
Engineers will be on duty at all times. No member shall shut off the water, or in any manner move the machinery attached to the engine, except at request of the engineer.
When the services of the engine are not required, draw the fire, always leaving sufficient quantity for rekindling in case of another alarm while returning. All fuel partially consumed shall be preserved, and not be left burning in the streets.
DRIVERS.
Drivers permanently employed shall be on duty at all times. They shall be held personally responsible for their stables, and for the care and management of their horses. They must not drive them faster than is consistent with the safety of the public and of the apparatus of the Department. They will be held responsible for any damage caused by
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them, or carelessness displayed in conveying their apparatus to or from fires. Racing to or from fires will not be allowed under any circumstances. If the apparatus of two or more companies shall proceed to or from a fire on the same street, they shall do so in single file. Returning from fires, they shall drive at a moderate rate of speed. On arriving at fires, the horses shall be blanketed, and kept moving, if possible ; and upon returning to the house, if wet by perspiration, they must be immediately rubbed dry. These instructions will also apply to drivers of hose-carriages and tenders.
EXERCISE HOURS.
The horses used exclusively by this Department will be exercised daily, in accordance with the following order : -.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, April 21, 1884.
Ordered, That on and after May 1, 1884, the several horses perma- nently employed in the Fire Department shall be exercised daily (Sundays excepted), and in the following streets, except when otherwise ordered by the chief of Department: ---
No. 1 Engine. - Washington to Church, to Eldredge, to Vernon, to Park Streets.
No. 2 Engine. - Washington to Elm, to Webster, to Waltham, to Chestnut, to Margin Streets.
No 3 Engine. - Willow to Beacon, to Crescent Avenue, to Pleasant, to Centre, to Willow Streets.
No. 1 Truck No. 4 Hose
Washington, Parsons, to Central Avenue.
Exercise hours to be regulated by Chief of Department, and not to exceed one hour nor less than one-half hour. The rules governing inclement weather and holidays will remain in force. Any employee failing to conform to the above order shall be subject to suspension.
.
H. L. BIXBY,
I. F. KINGSBURY,
Chief of Department. Clerk.
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when the horses have performed no duty within the twenty- four hours next preceding. The horses will not be exercised on public holidays, and never speed them faster than a slow trot.
"RIGHT OF WAY WHEN PROCEEDING TO FIRES," AS ACCORDED BY LAW.
[Chap. 37, Acts 1874.]
An Act to Punish the Wilful Obstruction of Fire Engines, etc.
Whoever wilfully and maliciously obstructs or retards the passage of any engine, or other apparatus, of any Fire Department, while going to a fire, through any street, lane, alley, or other way, shall be punished by imprisonment in the House of Correction not exceeding three months, or by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars. [Approved Feb. 28, 1874.]
All drivers of this Department will govern themselves by the above law, and use the utmost discretion at all times to avoid accidents. Hose-carriages, in response to alarms of fire, will follow the engines to which they belong. Call- drivers of hose-carriages will be required to sleep in their respective stations.
STOKERS.
The stokers shall respond promptly to all alarms, and, when in quarters, they will assist in hitching up. When on duty at fires, they shall be under the direction of their respective engineers, who shall require their whole and undivided attention. On return from fires, they shall remain on duty until relieved by their engineers. They will be required to sleep in their respective stations.
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FOREMEN.
It shall be the duty of the foremen of all companies where permanent men are not employed, to see that the apparatus committed to their care, and the several stations in which the same are deposited, and all things in or belonging to the same, are kept neat and clean, and in order for immediate use; to see that the snow is cleared from the sidewalks and driveways connected with the stations under their charge.
FINES.
Foremen of companies will see that the following fines for non-attendance are rigidly enforced : -
For absence from fires and alarms . $1 00
For absence from regular and special meetings . . 50
ASSISTANT FOREMEN.
The assistant foreman shall, in the absence of the fore- man, perform all the duties and exercise the same authority as the foreman.
MEMBERS.
The members of the several companies shall, upon an alarm of fire from the section of the city to which they are assigned for duty, proceed promptly to the place of the fire in an orderly manner, report to the foreman, and perform any duty that may be required of them. They shall remain on duty until relieved by orders, which shall be given only by the officer in command. If the company to which they are attached does not respond to the alarm on first call, they shall proceed to their engine, hose, or truck stations, and remain thirty minutes, unless called into service or relieved
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by dismissal. No member shall be absent from duty for a longer period than one month, except in case of sickness, or by special permission of the Chief of Department. No per- son whose occupation requires his daily absence from the city will be eligible to membership in this Department. Any officer or member of this Department who shall remove from the city shall thereupon cease to be a member; and all members of the Department will be required to live within a reasonable distance of their respective stations.
SUBSTITUTES.
Each company may have two substitutes to take the places of call-members absent from the city or disabled by sickness. They shall be approved by the Chief of Depart- ment, and shall, if for services rendered for a period of fifteen days or more, receive the same compensation as their principal, to be deducted from their principal's pay. Any substitute serving for a less time than fifteen days shall be paid the amount of fines imposed on his principal for non- attendance at fires or alarms. Any member failing to pay his substitute on the following pay-day shall be subject to dismissal. No substitute can be assigned to duty in place of his principal during the time of a fire or an alarm of fire.
BUNKERS.
Call-men to whom beds are assigned will be required to retire at or before 11 P.M., unless excused by the engineer or person in charge of the station, and will not be allowed to use or occupy the same during the day, unless deprived of their usual rest by the performance of active fire duty, or in case of sickness sufficient to require the use of the same.
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No visitors will be allowed in the bunk-rooms after hours, or at any other time while the beds are occupied. It shall be the duty of the engineer to immediately report to the Chief of Department any misconduct or violations of the rules on the part of persons occupying said beds. The occupant of each bed will be held responsible for the cleanliness of the same, and for any damage to either bed or bedding through carelessness. All members occupying sleeping quarters in the engine, hose, and truck stations shall vacate their beds from May 1 to Oct. 1, at 6.30 A.M., and from Oct. 1 to May 1, at 7 A.M.
HORSES AND FEEDING.
The system of feeding shall be as follows, particular care being exercised not to feed or water the horses while too warm : -
Four quarts of oats morning and night; this, with about eight or ten pounds of hay after bedding the horses, will constitute the daily allowance for each horse, and must not be exceeded. But when it shall be ascertained that a less allowance is sufficient, the driver will exercise discretion as to the quantity. The stalls to be cleaned early in the morn- ing; after breakfast the horses groomed and the harnesses cleaned. Horses sick or disabled will be immediately reported to the Chief of Department. No alteration or changes in harness will be permitted, except upon authority of the Chief of Department. When horses are in the shop for shoeing, the drivers shall remain with them, and shall report to the Chief of Department any unnecessary delay, or any work improperly executed, and will allow but one shoe to be removed at a time.
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BADGES.
All members of the Department shall be provided with a badge, to be known as the Regulation Badge of the Department, which shall be worn in a conspicuous place during the time they are on duty ; and no member shall lend his badge on any pretext whatever. Any member losing his badge shall immediately notify the Chief of Department, and use all diligence to recover the same. He shall be required to pay for the same before another badge will be provided, the money so paid to be refunded should the badge be found. These badges shall at all times remain the prop- erty of the city. Any member loaning his badge to any person not connected with the Department shall be subject to dismissal. 'No person will be recognized as a member of this Department unless wearing his badge.
ROLL-CALL.
Upon returning from a fire, or an alarm of fire, the assistant foreman, or, in his absence, the foreman, shall call the roll, and report to the Chief of Department any member absent, and the excuse for the same; and in no case shall the permanent members act as substitutes for the call members, or answer for them at roll-call.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
No permanent member shall leave the city, or be granted leave of absence, without notifying the Chief of Depart- ment, and procuring a substitute to his acceptance; and the substitute shall be on duty before the applicant leaves his post ; and the pay of the substitute may be deducted from the pay of the principal. Any member of the call-force
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expecting to be absent from the city shall notify the fore- man of his company, and procure a substitute to his satis- faction. Whenever leave of absence is granted to bunkers, they shall report the same to the person in charge of their station, and shall, in like manner, report their return.
SUPPLIES.
No member of the Department will be allowed to make any purchases for the Department chargeable to the city, except by order of the chairman of fire committee or Chief of Department.
MEALS.
For permanent members three hours daily will be allowed for meals, and will be so arranged that there shall be at all times one member on duty.
DUTIES AT FIRES.
At all fires, the first officer arriving shall, in the absence of the Chief or Assistant Chief, and until his arrival, act as Chief of Department, and be obeyed and respected accord- ingly. The men are required to move quickly, and obey orders promptly and without criticism. The officers in charge of the several companies shall, immediately on their arrival at a fire, report to the officer in command, and re- main for orders. No company shall leave the fire-grounds, or take the apparatus of which they have charge therefrom, without the order or permission of the officer in command. Any neglect of duty, disobedience of orders, or disrespect to officers, shall be reported to the Chief of Department. No member shall wilfully or maliciously direct a stream of water upon any fireman or citizen. All disputes which may
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arise between companies or individual firemen when on duty shall be settled by the engineer in command. Members of companies that are not in service at fires will not enter the buildings unless ordered, but remain convenient to the fire, equipped, and ready for orders.
GOING TO OR FROM FIRES.
Order and decorum will be preserved when going to or from a fire or an alarm. To guard against collision and accident when proceeding to fires, the gongs will be struck when approaching street-crossings, turning corners, and approaching the fire-grounds.
RIDING TO FIRES.
All drivers will be held responsible for any unnecessary overloading, and will in all cases judge of the ability of the horses, the condition of the streets, and the distance to travel. The men will mount and dismount as ordered by them. Officers will avail themselves of any opportunity to ride to fires (excepting on engines), to the exclusion, if necessary, of the men.
FIRE-GROUNDS.
All engine and hose companies responding to second or general alarms will connect, but will not lay their lines until they have reported to the officer in command at the fire for orders.
STATIONS.
Stations of the Department shall be open from 10 A.M. until 10 P.M. for visitors, and at any other time for inspec- tion by members of the city government. On the sabbath all stations must be closed ; and it is made the duty of the
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engineer, or person in charge, to see that order and quiet are preserved. All work other than that absolutely necessary will be omitted for the day. The permanent members of each station shall once in each week scrub the floors of their respective stations, and at all times keep them neat and clean. The members in charge of the several stations shall personally attend to the receiving of visitors, whether mem- bers of the city government, officers of the Department, or citizens. Citizens visiting the stations shall be courteously treated, have reasonable questions answered, and any proper information given. All members detailed to sleep in the stations must be in their quarters at the time stated for closing the station, unless otherwise excused, and all other persons must leave at that time.
DRILL.
Until further notice the truck company will drill once each month, from May 1 to Oct. 1, and all other companies at such times as may be ordered by the Chief of Department.
CONDUCT.
All members of the Department are strictly required in their intercourse with each other, social or official, to observe a courteous demeanor; and officers or men, in addressing each other, will do so in a respectful manner. While on duty at fires, the greatest degrees of silence compatible with a proper discharge of duty will be required. No profane or ungentlemanly language, or disorderly conduct, will be allowed on the part of any officer or member of the Depart- ment when on duty.
No spirituous or malt liquors will be allowed in any
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station of the Department or at any fire. If any member shall enter any station of the Department intoxicated, or become intoxicated at a fire, he shall be subject to dismissal.
No gambling of any kind will be allowed in any station of the Department.
GENERAL RULES.
RULE 1.
No driver of engine, hose, hook-and-ladder truck, or other vehicle, shall drive over any line of hose if it can be avoided.
RULE 2.
No company will be allowed to take its apparatus from their quarters, except in case of fire, without consent of the Chief of Department.
RULE 3.
The hose must be changed on reels once in four weeks, unless otherwise ordered by the Chief of Department, for which purpose the foreman will warn the members of his company detailed for this purpose ; and any member absent, unless excused, will be fined the same amount as for absence from fires.
RULE 4.
Any member permanently employed, who refuses or neglects to pay any just debt contracted during his connec- tion with the Department, it shall be deemed sufficient cause for suspension or discharge.
RULE 5.
No permanent officer or member of the Department shall attend a caucus or political convention as a delegate, dis-
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tribute tickets at any election, or take any part whatever in political matters other than to exercise a right of suffrage.
RULE 6.
All members of the Department will be required to address officers by their respective titles when on duty.
RULE 7.
When any member shall leave the Department, he shall thereupon return his badge, key, and copy of rules and regulations, in good condition, to the foreman of his com- pany, who shall immediately notify the Chief of Department ; and any member failing so to do shall have the amount deducted from his pay.
RULE 8.
No balls, parties, or social gatherings of any description shall be held in any building in charge of the Department, except on permission from the Chief of Department.
RULE 9.
No property belonging to the city will be loaned for any purpose whatever, except upon written order of the Chief of Department.
RULE 10.
No hoseman or truckman at call shall be entitled to pay for less than fifteen days' service. All appointments shall, as far as practicable, be made to date from the first or fifteenth day of each month.
RULE 11.
In the use of hydrants all members of the Department are instructed to use great care in the opening and closing of
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the same, and to see that each cap is properly adjusted before leaving. The first company connecting with a hydrant in case of fire will leave one member in charge of the same ; should a second company or line desire connection, it will not be made until the line is complete to the fire, and orders given for water. Exceptions to this are ordered for engines, which will be given immediate connection (if ordered into service), and the hydrant left in charge of the engineer.
RULE 12.
Officers of companies, hosemen, and laddermen will wear their fire-hats when on duty.
Approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, April 19, 1880.
Attest : EDWIN O. CHILDS, Clerk. H. L. BIXBY, Chief Fire Department.
City of Nemton.
Fire Department Headquarters, City Hall, West Newton.
BILL OF DRESS FOR THE UNIFORMED FORCE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEWTON.
FIRE-CAP.
For Chief of Department. - A white leather cap with eight cones, having a white leather stitched front depending from a gilt eagle head, and attached to the front of the cap, with the words "Chief" in black letters stitched on white ground, with "Fire Department " in the centre, and the word " Newton " at the bottom.
For Assistant Chief of Department. - Same as for the Chief of the Department, except that the rim and cape will be black on both sides and lettered, " Ass't. Chief, Fire Department, Newton."
For Officers Engine and Hose Companies. - Same as Chief of Department, except that it will be of black leather, and have a white leather stitched front, with the letters and figures cut out of it on a background of black patent leather.
For Officers Truck Companies. - Same as officers engine companies, except that the letters will be on red ground.
For all Members Engine and Hose Companies. - Same as officers, except that the fronts will be of black patent leather, with letters on background of white patent leather.
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For Members Truck Companies. - Same as for officers of truck companies, except that the fronts will be of red patent leather, with letter on background of white patent leather.
FATIGUE CAP.
For Chief of Department. - Of United States Navy pattern, made of dark blue cloth, pure indigo dye, with band one and one-half inches, and quarters one and three-quarter inches high, stiffened with hair-cloth sewed into the seam of top and quarters, the sides to be ventilated, a narrow welt around bottom and top seam of cap, the inner band to be of strong, serviceable leather, the visor to be plain, solid, black patent leather, two inches wide, with rounded corners, the chin straps of black patent leather one-half inch wide, with slides of same material, straps to be fastened to cap on each side with small regulation button.
The insignia of rank to be placed on the quarters in the centre of the front, the lower part resting nearly on the upper edge of band.
For Assistant Chief of Department. - Same as for Chief of Department.
For Engineers Steamers, Drivers, Etc. - Same as for Assis- tant Chief, but omitting insignia of rank, and substituting therefor a white metal badge, as per pattern at headquarters, to be fastened to the cap, with the lower end resting upon the upper lower edge of band.
For winter service, caps known as "Scotch Havelocks," may be substituted for the " Regulation Cap."
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HATS FOR SUMMER WEAR.
For Chief and Assistant Chief of Department. - Light- gray felt helmets, with black silk band one inch wide, rim bound with the same, with insignia on the front and just above the band, to be ventilated each side, the sweat-band to be of leather one and one-half inches wide and ventilated.
For All Other Members. - Of brown Mackinac braided straw (braids about five-eighths of an inch wide), sides about three and one-half inches high, slightly tapering at crown, with black, ribbed-silk ribbon band one and three- quarters of an inch wide, tied in a single bow-knot on left side, brim about two and one-quarter inches wide, bound with seven-eighths-inch black silk ribbon ; the sweat-band to be of leather about one and one-half inches wide, the bottom of crown to be lined with paper. The badge as prescribed above to be worn upon the ribbon in front.
COATS.
For Chief of Department. - A double-breasted, close- fitting sack coat, made of dark blue cloth, pure indigo dye, cut to button close to the neck, with rolling collar, and to reach to a point midway between the hip-joint and the bend of the knee; to have eight medium-sized regulation buttons on each breast, grouped in pairs ; the cuffs to be made to fit the wrists, and to be closed with three small regulation buttons ; a blind pocket on each breast, with plain flaps; two inside breast pockets ; the sleeves to be cut so as to be con- veniently worn inside the overcoat ; the coat to be lined with black Italian cloth, and the sleeves with linen. The pre- scribed insignia of rank to be placed in the end of collar on each side.
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For Assistant Chief of Department. - Same as for the Chief of the Department, except that there will be seven buttons placed equidistant, and the insignia of rank as prescribed.
For All Other Members. - The coat will be single breasted, with six medium-sized buttons.
For Summer Wear. - A coat may be worn made of dark blue flannel, indigo dye, and in all other respects as above, but without lining.
OVERCOATS.
For Chief of Department. - A double-breasted frock coat with rolling collar, lap seams, of best heavy, dark blue cloth, pure indigo dye, in length to reach to the knee, to button close up to the neck, with eight large regulation buttons on each breast, grouped in pairs, three on each skirt behind and three of small size on each sleeve at cuff, the skirts to be open behind, blind pockets on each skirt outside, with flaps, also on breasts, and two inside breast pockets.
The skirts to be lined with black Italian cloth, and back with red twilled flannel, sleeves with linen.
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