USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1890 > Part 14
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Reports of fires, etc.
44
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Care of appara- SECT. 6. It shall be the duty of the men tus, etc. permanently employed in the department to keep the apparatus entrusted to their care, and the several buildings in which the same is deposited, and all things intrusted to their care, clean, and in order for immediate use, and to wash and dry the hose of the entire depart- ment when required so to do ; and they shall clear the snow from the sidewalks and drive- ways connected with the houses under their charge.
Companies not SECT. 7. No company shall leave the city to leave city, in case of a fire in another city or town, except except, by order of the Chief or Assistant Chief of Department.
Members not to be transferred, except,
SECT. 8. No member shall be transferred from one company to another, except by order of the Chief of Department.
Badge.
Shavings and other combusti- ble material. Pub. Stats., chap. 104, ยงยง 1-12.
SECT. 9. Every member of the depart- ment shall wear at every fire such a badge as the Chief of Department shall prescribe ; and no person without such badge shall, except by permission of the officer in command, enter within lines formed at a fire by such officer.
SECT. 10. The Chief of Department shall examine all places where shavings or other combustible materials are deposited or collected ; and shall see to the removal of the same, when- ever, in his opinion, the same are dangerous ; and shall direct the owners, tenants, or occupants of such places to remove the same, which they shall do forthwith ; and, in case of refusal or neglect, he shall cause the same to be removed at the expense of such owners, tenants or occupants.
45
ORDINANCE XIII.
SECT. 11. The Chief of Department shall observe all buildings in which steam-engines are buildings by Chief. used, and all buildings in process of erection or alteration, and make a record of such of them as in his judgment may be dangerous, and report Steam Engines. thereon to the mayor and aldermen forthwith. Whenever, in the opinion of the Chief of Depart- ment, any camphene or other explosive or inflammable fluid or material should be re- Camphene, etc. moved, he shall forthwith notify and direct the owner, tenant, or occupant of the premises upon which the same are situated, to remove the same, which he shall forthwith do. In case such tenant, owner, or occupant shall refuse or neglect so to do, the Chief of Department shall cause the same to be removed at the expense of such owner, tenant, or occupant. Nor person shall obstruct the Chief of De- partment in carrying out the provisions of this section.
SECT. 12. The Chief of Department shall on the last day of each month, prepare a pay- pare pay-roll. roll of all the persons regularly employed in the department, and present it to the committe on the Fire Department for their action. On the last day of June and of December in each year, the clerk of each company shall make a roll, bearing the full name, age, occupation, and resi- dence of every member of the company, specify- ing also the number of times the company has been called out, and the attendance of each member, to which shall be appended the follow- ing certificate :
" We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that, according to the best of our knowledge and belief, the foregoing persons are
Inspection of
Chief to pre-
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
members of-company, and that said company had consisted of-members during the last six months; that during that time they have performed all the duties incumbent upon them as firemen, have been present at every turnout of the company, or been duly excused; and that they are entitled to all the privileges and pay of firemen."
Certificate of pay-roll.
The certificate shall be signed by the fore- man and clerk, and shall be delivered to the Chief of Department.
The Chief of Department shall examine these rolls, and if they are found correct, shall approve them, and present them, with the pay- rolls of the several companies, to the committee on Fire Department for their action.
Fire-alarm Tel- egraph.
Keys.
SECT. 13. The Chief of Department shall have the care and management of the rooms, apparatus and machinery connected with the fire-alarm telegraph, and shall determine to whom shall be intrusted the keys of the signal- boxes. He shall prepare rules and directions for giving alarms of fire through the telegraph.
Signal-boxes.
SECT. 14. No unauthorized person shall open any of the signal-boxes, except in case of fire, or interfere with the wires or the poles or other supports of the wires.
False alarms.
SECT. 15. The Chief of Department shall see that every person raising a false alarm of fire is prosecuted.
Gambling.
SECT. 16. No gambling shall be allowed in any building occupied by the Fire Depart- ment, nor shall spirituous liquors be kept or used there.
Water from hy- drants, etc.
SECT. 17. No person shall draw water from the reservoir or fire-hydrants, except in case of fire, and except as otherwise provided ; nor shall any engine, hose, or truck be taken
47
ORDINANCE XIII.
out of the city without permission of the Chief or Assistant Chief. No part of the apparatus shall be taken from the city, unless to a fire, without special permission from the mayor and aldermen.
SECT. 18. No occupant of any building or room in which there is a hatchway or trap-door shall suffer the same to be left open at night.
SECT. 19. Any member of the depart- Disabled mem- ment injured or disabled while on actual duty bers. shall receive pay for the time lost in conse- quence, not exceeding three months.
SECT. 20. No person shall wantonly or Setting fire carelessly set fire to any tree, bush, grass, wantonly to leaves, brushwood, rubbish, or other substance trees, etc. in any place in the City of Newton.
SECT. 21. Whoever shall violate any provision of this ordinance shall forfeit a sum not exceeding twenty dollars.
Penalty.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE GOVERN- MENT OF THE NEWTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief of Department.
The Chief of Department shall have the sole and abso- lute command at fires and alarms of fires over all members of the department and of all other persons present at fires, and of all apparatus and appurtenances belonging to the depart- ment, and direct all measures he may deem proper for the extinguishment of fires. He shall devote his whole time to the performance of the duties of his office. He shall visit the engine, hose, and truck stations daily, if possible (Sun- days excepted), and report to the fire committee or board of aldermen such suggestions or recommendations as he may deem necessary. He may, from time to time, issue such orders for the government of the members as he may deem necessary, subject to the approval of the mayor and aldermen.
He shall have power to suspend any officer .or member of the department for insubordination, disorderly conduct, or neglect of duty, said suspension to continue, pending the action of the mayor and aldermen.
Assistant Chief.
In the absence of the Chief of Department the Assistant Chief shall have the same authority, and exercise the same powers, as the Chief of Department. On arrival at fires he
4
50
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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 Department, general supervision and management of all the telegraph 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 direction of the Chief of Department. He shall give necessary instruc- tions 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. Delays 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 patent preparations for cleaning the metal is strictly prohib- ited. All material for polishing will be furnished from headquarters. Keep the safety valve set at eighty pounds,
51
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
and run the engines according to the line of hose; a hundred 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 Department.
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 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 machin- ery 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 them, or carelessness displayed in conveying their apparatus to and 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, except in case of Chemical Engine, which shall have the "right of way " over all. Re-
52
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
turning 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 instruction 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 permanently 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 street.
No. 2 ENGINE .- Washington to Elm, to Webster, to Waltham, to Chestnut, to Margin street.
No. 3 ENGINE .- Willow to Beacon, to Crescent avenue, to Pleasant, to Centre, to Willow street.
No. 1 TRUCK .- Washington, Parsons to Central avenue.
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 employe failing to conform to the above order shall be subject to suspension.
H. L. BIXBY, Chief of Department. Clerk.
I. F. KINGSBURY,
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.
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RULES AND REGULATIONS.
"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.
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 respec- tive 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.
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 imme- diate use ; to see that the snow is cleared from the sidewalks and driveways connected with the stations under their charge.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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 station, and remain thirty minutes, unless called into service or relieved by dismissal. No member shall be ab- sent from duty for a longer period than one month, except in case of sickness, or by special permission of the Chief of Department. No person whose occupation requires his daily absence from the city will be eligible to membership in this department. Any officer or member of this depart- ment 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 re- spective stations.
55
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Substitutes.
Each member may have two substitutes to take the place 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. 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 or member in charge of the station, to immediately report to the Chief of Department any mis- conduct or violation of the rules on the part of persons occu- pying 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 station shall vacate their beds from May 1 to October 1 at 6.30 A. M., and from October 1 to May 1 at 7 A. M.
56
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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 re- ported 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.
Badges.
All members of the department shall be provided with a badge, to be known as the Regulation Badge of the depart- ment, 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 property 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.
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RULES AND REGULATIONS.
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 Department, and procuring a substitute to his acceptance; and the substi- tute 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 expecting to be absent from the city shall notify the foreman of his com- pany, and procure a substitute to his satisfaction. 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 purchase 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.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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 according- ly. 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 remain for orders. No company shall leave the fire-grounds, or take the appara- tus 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 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
59
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
fires (excepting on engines), to the exclusion, if necessary, of the men.
Fire Grounds.
All engines 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 engineer, or person in charge, to see that order and quiet are preserved. All work other than absolutely necessary will be omitted for the day. The permanent members of each station shall once in each week scrub the floors of their re- spective stations, and at all times keep them neat and clean. The members in charge of the several stations shall personal- ly attend to the receiving of visitors, whether members of the city government, officers of the department, or citizens. Citi- zens 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.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE 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 degree 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 department when on duty.
No spirituous or malt liquors will be allowed in any 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.
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