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California Statutes, 1919

Purchase of land as site for firehouse. Sec. 3 1/2. The board of fire commissioners so appointed by said board of supervisors, and their successors, are further authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to purchase or otherwise acquire land and to erect thereon a firehouse for purposes of housing the fire equipment and fire apparatus, or to purchase or otherwise acquire land already improved with a building thereon suitable for housing said equipment and apparatus, and to pay for said land, improved or unimproved, as the case may be out of the annual tax provided for under section nine of this act, or by special tax to be voted by the voters within the fire limits in the manner provided for by section fifteen of this act. Said board of fire commissioners may furthermore in their discretion submit to the qualified electors within said fire limits at a special election for that purpose, or at the annual election provided for in section seventeen of this act, the proposition whether or not land shall be purchased or otherwise acquired and a firehouse built thereon, or the proposition of whether or not land with a firehouse already thereon shall be purchased or otherwise acquired, or both of said propositions, and in event of such submissions the vote registered for or against the proposition or propositions so made to the voters shall be binding upon said board of fire commissioners. Said board of fire commissioners are further hereby empowered to sell or otherwise dispose of any such land, improved or unimproved, as the case may be, theretofore by them or by their predecessors acquired for firehouse purposes; provided, however, that if the same shall lave been originally acquired pursuant to the vote of the electors within the fire limits, as herein permitted, then the same shall not be sold excepting by like vote of the electors within said limits. The proceeds derived from the sale of any such land or improvements thereon shall be exclusively devoted to the purchase of other land or other improvements. All real property acquired under the provision of this section shall be conveyed to, and held in the name of, the “board of fire commissioners of the unincorporated town (or village) of ….” (naming said town or village.

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Municipal Journal & Public Works, 1913

Page 33: Firehouse at Westfield. Westfield, N.J. — An illustration is given of Westfield’s firehouse and equipment, which comprises a motor fire engine fully equipped and carrying over 1,000 feet of hose. A combination chemical and hose motor apparatus, a Seagrove hook and ladder truck, and a hose wagon and four horses, all of which are housed in the $25,000 firehouse. Page 64: Put Firehouse on Barge. New York, N.Y. — Picking up a two-story firehouse bodily, with the firemen in it, placing it on a barge in the Harlem River, towing it for a distance of more than three blocks through the river, removing it form the barge and placing it on new foundations on terra firma again, was one of the engineering feats accomplished last week by the contractors building a part of the Lexington avenue subway under the direction of the engineers of the public service commission for the first district. The feat was performed with no injury to the firehouse greater than cracking the plaster. IN the course of the operation the rise and fall of the tide were utilized to facilitate the floating of the house. The firehouse in question is known as engine house No. 87, and it stood at the end of 132 street and Lexington avenue, close to the bank of the river. It is used for the accommodation of the firemen who operate the fireboat C.W. Lawrence. Its removal was made necessary partly because its location was near the line of the Lexington avenue subway where it goes under the Harlem River, but mostly because of the obstacles to its operation which would be inevitable when the contractors begin sinking the four steel tubes which will carry the subway tracks under the river. It is a two-story, steel skeleton structure, about 41 feet long and about 27 feet wide, of fireproof construction, and has a tower 62 feet above the foundation. The whole structure was found to weigh about 150 tons. The building was jacked up, placed on a barge and towed to its new site. No accident marred the work. Page 98: Lay Cornerstone of New Darby Firehouse. Darby, Pa. — Before a large representation of the volunteer firemen of Delaware county and a host of friends, the cornerstone for the new $8,400 engine house for the 137-year-old Darby Fire Company, No. 1, was laid one afternoon of last week. The ceremonies were brief but impressive. The structure, which is being built of concrete blocks, is the first of its kind to be erected in Delaware county. It is being built by the Hall Concrete Products Company, of Grassland, at a cost of $8,400. Page 217: Fire Chief Pleased With New Engine. Cincinnati, O. — Fire Chief Bunker is pleased with the way the new auto fire engine, which is now stationed at Company 46, Hyde Park, stood the official tests. Loaded with 18 people the new engine covered the distance between the morgue, on Eight street, and the firehouse at Erie and Michigan avenues, Hyde Park, in 12 minutes. In another test, the run form St. Francis de Sales Church, at Woodbury avenue and Madison road, to the Hyde Park school, on Edwards road, was made in about four minutes. It took the machine four minutes to climb Gilbert avenue, from the new viaduct at Broadway to Peebles corner. A run down hill on Clifton avenue was made to test the ability of the machine to go down grade easily and with safety. On the canal bank, between Fifteenth and Liberty streets, the pumping test was held. The engine threw 780 gallons of water a minute equipped with two lines of 1 1/8-inch nozzles, and with a larger nozzle threw 850 gallons a minute. A steady stream was thrown nearly 150 feet skyward. Page 377: San Jose, Cal. — Remodeling of firehouse on Adams st. is being planned. Page 517: Contracts Awarded. Hayward, Cal. — Ordinance calling for $14,000 fire bond section to be held on April 10 next has been drawn up by Board of Town Trustees. Firehouse is proposed to be erected on Castro st. An up-to-date fire engine and fire signaling apparatus is sought. Page 533: Recommends Purchase of Two Motor Fire Engines. Long Branch, N.J. — In the annual report of Fire Chief Louis J. Tetley are a number of recommendations including the following: That an indicator be placed in every firehouse; that the borough purchase at least two motor pumping engines with chemical tanks; that a proper site and house be secured for Relief engine company; and that the incoming chief, assistant chiefs and foremen of each company meet at least once a month and go over matters as a preventive committee. The total loss sustained, according to the report, was $3,240, which is the lowest amount in years. Chief Tetley stated that the total value of the borough’s fire fighting apparatus and equipment was $11,700. Page 722: Fireman Invents Automatic Chain Release. Perth Amboy, N.J. — Richard Seguine, a fireman who is employed as janitor in the Washington Hose & Chemical Company’s headquarters, has invented an automatic chain release for use in connector with fire horse stalls. It is working most successfully in the Washington and Protection firehouses. The apparatus can be rigged up for about $1.50. It is adjudged by far better than anything similar now on the market, costing from $85 upwards. The model apparatus as in use in connection with the two stalls in the Washington firehouse in Rector street consists of a circuit of rope, attached to which is an iron bolt, a weight and a metal hook an ordinary electric door lock, batteries, a circuit of wire and a push button. The rope is rigged from the cellar to near the ceiling of the ground floor. This, Mr. Seguine says, could be shortened and the apparatus simplified by the use of a metal spring. The iron bolt attached to the rope is slipped into a hole in the door jamb and through a ring attached to one end of the chain in front of the horse. The metal hook is placed over the locking mechanism of the electric lock. By a push of the button or a tap on the regular fire alarm, if the apparatus is connected with that, the lock holder will be released, the hook will drop, releasing weights or a spring, and the bole is jerked out of place, causing the chain to drop. At the same time a big gong over the stall is sounded, quickening the place of the horses. all this happens in the instant the button is pushed or the first tap of the alarm is sounding. Mr. Seguine has his model apparatus so rigged that he can release the horses of Washington firehouse while in the firehouse or while in his home across the street. During the past several fires, which occurred while he was in his home, his wife pushed the release button in the residence while he ran across to the firehouse. When he arrived there the horses were standing under the harness in readiness to be hitched. Mr. Seguine is also the inventor of an automatic chain release for front doors of firehouses and for a fire horse “frisker,” which are being used with much success in this city. The former consists of a rope and pin and with weights or a spring attached. As the apparatus is leaving the house the guard chain is automatically released and is jerked to one side, in about the same manner as firehouse doors are released. The firehouse doors are open about half of the year and a chain usually guards the entrance. This had to be released by a snap hook, and that was found to be extremely dangerous and required another man besides the driver. Men have been hurt and horses have been frightened in starting out before such a chain could be unhooked. With the new invention in use at the Washington and Lincoln quarters, all danger is eliminated and the release is automatic and instantaneous. The “frisker” is especially valuable in breaking in green horses for fire duty and is also valuable for quickening the pace of any horse in time of an alarm. It consists of an automatic operating whip which lashes the horses by means of springs at the instant the button is pushed which releases them. for the past few years makers of firehouse apparatus throughout the country have been trying to devise a simple yet effective means of releasing firehorses from stalls when doors were not used. Local firemen and other city officials studied the problem for several months. Segue thought and planned on paper and in his mind, with the result that he has made just the apparatus which is needed. He declares it to be a boon to horses, inasmuch as it makes it unnecessary to keep doors closed in front of them. He considers it much better than the electric release used in the New York City fire department, by means of which horses must stand tied for twenty-four hours, except when at work. It is better by far than a patented and intricate arrangement which the city purchased for almost $100, which had to be discarded after two weeks of use. Mr. Seguine is considering a plan to manufacture and sell his automatic releases. Page 886: San Jose, Cal. — Contract for constructing new firehouse on North Eighth st. has been awarded to Thomas Schcerrebeck for $3,375. Other bids ran from $3,569 to $3,700. Page 912: Fair Haven, N.J. — Erection of new firehouse is being planned; estimated cost, $11,000.

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[firehousequotes]

Proceedings of the Common Council of the City of Rochester, 1913

Page 107: By Ald. Fisher—Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Rochester as follows: Section 1. The Common Council hereby authorizes the construction of a firehouse in the southwestern section of the city, of a firehouse in the northeastern section of the city, and of a firehouse and garage on the property on Exchange Street now occupied by the city barns and shops. Page 159: By Ald. Fisher—Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Rochster as follows.: Section 1. The Common Council hereby authorizes the construction of a firehouse in the southwestern section of the city, of a firehouse in the northeastern section of the city, and of a firehouse and garage on the property on Exchange Street now occupied by the city barns and shops. Section 2. The Comptroller of the City of Rochester is hereby authorized and directed to issue bonds of the city to the amount of $125,000, signed by the Mayor and Treasurer, sealed with the corporate seal, and countersigned by the Comptroller. Said bonds shall be payable and transferable at the City Treasurer’s office, Rochester, N.Y., shall run for a period of twelve years, shall bear interest at three and one-half per centrum per annum, and shall be sold under the direction of the Comptroller after competition upon sealed proposals at not less than par. Section 3. A sinking fund for the redemption of the bonds herein authorized is hereby created and an annual sum shall be raised by taxation sufficient with interest to redeem at maturity said bonds and to pay the annual interest thereon. Section 4. The proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be used for the erection of the firehouses herein authorized to be erected, for the equipment of the same, and for the installation of companies in said houses; for the erection of an addition to the Webster Avenue firehouse, the equipment thereof, and the installation of a company therein; for an addition to the Stone Street firehouse, and the equipment thereof, and for the extension, improvement and equipment generally of the fire force, for which proposes the aforesaid moneys shall be borrwoed, and the aforesaid bonds are authorized to be issued. Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect immediately.

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State of Pennsylvania, District Reports of Cases Decided in all the Judicial Districts, 1914

Burton v. City of Philadelphia. Negligence — Trespassers in city firehouse — Unguarded areaway — Non-suit. The public has no right of inspection of firehouses maintained by the City of Philadelphia. The city owes no higher duty to persons inspecting such firehouses than to trespassers. The plaintiff, a man forty-eight years of age, who had been invited to enter the firehouse by some one in fireman’s uniform, was injured by falling through an unguarded areaway: Held, a compulsory non-suit was properly entered. Motion to strike off non-suit. C.P. No. 5, Phila. Co., Dec. T., 1910, No. 4951. G. Hart for motion; M.J. Ryan, City Solicitor, contra. Henry, P.J., 52nd judicial district, specially presiding, Nov. 4, 1914. — This action was brought to recover damages for injuries resulting to the plaintiff in walking into an unguarded areaway and falling from the first floor to the basement of a firehouse connected with the Fire Department of the City of Philadelphia. The plaintiff, a man forty-eight years of age, was passing a firehouse with a friend who wanted to see the place, and they were taken into it by someone in fireman’s uniform. The purpose in going there the plaintiff stated to be to see how the city was spending its money, and because he was invited by a fireman or some man who was in uniform. while this alleged fireman was showing the apparatus to his friend, the plaintiff walked to the rear of the floor, which he claimed was insufficiently lighted, and into the areaway. This open space into which the plaintiff fell was a part of a tower used for drying hose, and extended from he top of the building to the basement. The court granted a compulsory non-suit, which the plaintiff has moved to strike off. The City of Philadelphia has power to maintain firehouses equipped with fire apparatus for the purpose of fighting and preventing fires, and to this end to employ other persons. These houses and equipment, however, are in no sense exhibition places, nor is there any right of inspection by the curious minded; indeed, to so hold might nullify the very purpose of their existence; nor is it any part of the duty of a fireman to invite such inspection, and anyone accepting an invitation from a fireman to enter such premises must know that such employee of the city is actin gin his individual and not in any official or representative capacity. The defendant owed no higher duty to the plaintiff than other owners of real estate owe to trespassers or persons upon such premises without authority of law. The city not being under a legal duty to the plaintiff to place guards or barriers at the opening in question, no negligence has been shown and the non-suit was properly entered. And now, to wit, Nov. 4, 1914, the motion to strike off the non-suit is overruled.

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Atlantic City, N.J., Public Ordinances of Atlantic City, 1911

Page 57: An ordinance authorizing the issuing of additional bonds of the City of Atlantic City in the amount of $3,000, the proceeds of the sale of which shall be applied to pay the cost and expense of constructing, erecting and furnishing a firehouse for the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic City, which firehouse was ordained to be constructed, reacted and furnished by an ordinance entitled “An ordinance providing for the construction and furnishing of a building for the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic City on lands owned by the city, situate on the southwest corner of California and Atlantic avenues, in said city,” approved April 14th, 1910. Section 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of Atlantic city, that additional bonds of this city be issued int he amount of $3,000, and that the proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be applied to the cost and expense of constructing, erecting and furnishing a firehouse for the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic City, which firehouse was ordained to be constructed and erected and furnished by an ordinance entitled “An ordinance providing for the construction and furnishing of a building of the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic City on lands owned by the city, situate on the southwest corner of California and Atlantic avenues, in said city,” approved April 14, 1910. Page 58: Sec. 2. Said bonds shall be designated as Firehouse Bonds and shall be in the denomination of $1,000 each, numbered from 266 to 268, both inclusive, shall bear date of January 1, 1910, and be payable January 1, 1945; and shall bear interest at the rate of 4.5 peer centrum per annum, payable semi-annually. …… An Ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance entitled “An ordinance authorizing the issuing of bonds of the City of Atlantic City in an amount not exceeding $35,000, the proceeds of the sale of which shall be applied to pay the cost and expense of constructing, erecting and furnishing a firehouse for the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic city, which firehouse was ordained to be constructed, erected and furnished by an ordinance entitled, ‘An ordinance providing for the construction and furnishing of a building for the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic City on lands owned by the city, situate on the southwest corner of California and Atlantic avenues, in said city, passed April 11, 1910’,” approved April 14, 1910. Section 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of Atlantic City, that the first clause of Section 2 of an ordinance entitled, “An ordinance authorizing the issuing of bonds of the City of Atlantic City in an amount not exceeding $35,000, the proceeds of the sale of which shall be applied to pay the cost and expense of constructing, erecting and furnishing a firehouse for the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic city, which firehouse was ordained to be constructed, erected and furnished by an ordinance entitled, ‘An ordinance providing for the construction and furnishing of a building for the use of the Fire Department of Atlantic City on lands owned by the city, situate at the southwest corner of California and Atlantic avenues, in said city, passed April 14, 1910’,” approved April 14, 1910, be amended to read as follows: Page 59: Section 2. Said bonds shall be designated as Firehouse Bonds and shall be in the denomination of $1,000 each, numbered from 231 to 265, both inclusive, shall bear date of January 1, 1910, and be payable January 1, 1945; and shall bear interest at the rate of 4.5 per centum per annum, payable semi-annually.

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The Southwestern Reporter, 1911

The evidence in the record tending to raise the issue of discovered peril is substantially as follows:

F. Hamilton testified: “While the car was standing there (at the fire engine house at the corner of Twenty-ninth and Market, more than two blocks from the place where the accident happened), I was sitting on the left-hand side of the car, about three windows from the front end, and was looking out of the window, and saw the old gentleman (deceased) walking in the direction the car was going on Market street about a block and a half from the car, down between the curbing and the first car track. Soon after the car started, he steppe

d over between the two car tracks, and continued to walk as before. The car was tarted at full sped in order to make up the time they had lost in the firehouse, and when the car passed Thirty-First street, without making any check in speed, or giving any warning of any ind, I saw it was going to strike the ole man who was walking between the tracks, and, when it was 25 or 30 feet from him, I hollowed at him, but it was too late for him to get out of the way. The car was going so fast, and in an instant the car struck him and knocked him over on the left-hand side of the track, being the same side I was sitting on in the car. When the car struck the man, it was about a quarter of a black between Thirty-Second and Thirty-Third streets. After he (deceased) had walked about a quarter of the way between Thirty-First and Thirty-Second streets, he stepped over between the two car tracks, and continued walking that way until the car struck, him. He was walking right in between the two car tracks, and the space between the tracks is about four feet. The car was still standing at the firehouse when I first saw the man, and, when the car started, he was still walking between the sidewalk and the first track, and, after the car had gone a short distance, he stepped over between the two car tracks, and, as I have stated, continued to walk westward until the car struck him. He was about a block and a half from the car when I first saw him, and he was in pain view all the time until the car struck him and passed him. He did not turn his head, or do anything to indicate that he was conscious of the approach of the car. No attempt was made by either the motorman or the conductor to stop the car or check the speed unit after the accident. From the time the car started from the firehouse, it went at full speed until after the accident, and there was no effort made to stop the car or check its speed until after the accident. He (deceased_ was about a block from the car when he stepped over between the two tracks.” William Gauslin testified: “I was present when the car hit Charles C. Gehring which caused his death. I was present when the accident took place. I was sitting in a street car when said accident happened. I saw Charles C. Gehring just prior to, and got to him immediately after, the accident. The car lost several minutes there (at the firehouse), and on starting it continued west at an unusual speed, and on Market, near Thirty-Third street, it hit an old gentleman whom I did not recognize until the car was stopped and I got to him.

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Fire and Water Engineering, 1908

Page 7: Nashville, Tenn., is a rapidly growing city and, to meet the need of fire protection in the extreme western portion of its limits, an extra-double-tank, 85-gal. chemical engine was placed in service in temporary quarters, last year at the car bans in Western Nashville. Chief A.A. Rosetta now recommends that a lot should be purchased and an up-to-date firehouse built upon it. On another lot owned by the city he would have an engine house fully equipped with men and apparatus. He also asks for the installation of four additional fire-alarm boxes. The department has fifteen stations and has the following equipment manned by 110 officers and en: Steam fire engines, 9; chemical engines, 2; aerial hook and ladder trucks, 2; hose wagon, with turret-nuzzle; combination hose and chemical wagons, 3; hose carriages, 4; hose, rubber, in good condition, 3,050 ft.; in fair condition, 1, 730 ft.; cotton hose in good condition, 6,000 ft.; in fair condition, 3,765 ft.—total serviceable hose, 14,550 ft. Page 9: Probably all of you can demonstrate better than myself the advantages to be derived from the arrival at a fire in from one-quarter to one-third, or one-half the time necessarily taken by horses. One great advantage is that no men are required to take care of the machines, every man being available for service at the fire. The introduction of motor apparatus will cause a great improvement in the sanitary condition of the fire engine houses by the absence of ammoniacal vapors, etc. It will aid greatly to the comfort of the men not being disturbed by the kicking and stamping of horses during the night. The room which is now used for stabling the horses and for the storage of feed and other supplies will be available for additional sleeping quarters for the men. The city of Springfield now has in contemplation a new firehouse to be wholly equipped with automobile apparatus, and in which the men will have separate sleeping quarters — a thing long desired by firemen everywhere. Page 14: Guttenberg, N.J., has ordered plans for a firehouse; cost, about $15,000, Mayor Eypper. Page 22: The corps is at present using the quarters recently vacated by hook and ladder company No. 1 of the Newark fire department. —Essex hook and ladder company No. 1, the oldest volunteer fire organization in the town, held its twenty-fifth annual banquet in Central firehouse the other night. —Pitman having a new 1,000-gal. water tank built at the headquarters of the fire patrol, had it tested by Chief Walls, who first threw a vertical stream to the top of the hose tower, and then a horizontal stream of 90 ft. through a 1 1/4-in. nozzle. By means of a siamese a vertical stream was thrown 70 ft., far above any building in Pitman. Page 34: The report also makes the following recommendations: Engine No. 16 to be rebuilt; replacing No. 10 with a lighter engine; a first-size and 4 second-size new engines to be purchased; ladder No. 18 to be equipped with quick-raising devices, and ladder No. 4 to be replaced with 75-ft. quick-raising aerial truck or light single-tank; combination truck to be installed at Roslindale, Jamaica Plain and Longwood avenue; new water tower, with Monitor nozzles; 6 chief’s wagons; a double apparatus-house to be built in Forest Hils square and a single company and apparatus to be installed for the present; also a special appropriation to be made for a firehouse in Lauziat avenue district of Dorchester; also a large-sized engine for chemical company No. 3, Charlestown; water tower No. 2 to be overhauled and placed in reserve. The call once should be abolished and permanent men substituted to serve in Dorchester, West Roxbury and Brighton. The report also urges the extension of the high-pressure water-service by utilizing the water of the Charles river basin. Page 35: During the last year practical measures were taken for the improvement of the fire protection of the rapidly growing city of Los Angeles, Cal. Besides changes of minor importance, two positions of public safety inspectors were created, whose duties are similar to those of the deputy fire marshal. This will tend to reduce the number of fires in the congested district. The position of machines has also been created and added to the shop force, as likewise has that of a department horseshoer, with a wagon fore and all necessary appliances. This will enable the horses to be shoed at each firehouse. Another position, that F.W. Frankenhouser as superintendent of the fire-alarm, has been created, and has been productive of great benefit to the fire-service. The two positions of battalion chief, more than justified their creation in the previous year and have greatly helped both Chief Walter Lips and Assistant Chief George H. O’Donnell. Page 64: One great help to adequate fire protection was added during the past year, when the board of water commissioners set more and larger hydrants in Asylum street, one of the biggest business streets in the city. It is expected that 250 additional large hydrants, with steamer connections, will be set in various parts of the city, and that for the future only hydrants of such a type will be set. The water commissioners have also decided to replace small mains in the East Side with larger ones, so as to furnish an ample supply of water in case of fire. The firefighting apparatus was improved by the purchase of a new one for No. 6 firehouse and the rebuilding and improvement of engine No. 3—the original Jumbo—at a cost of $3,783. The latter is now more powerful than when it was originally purchased. An automobile combination chemical and hose wagon was also added and has in general done good service. Its one disadvantage is that it is not as fast as such apparatus should be, which causes the fire commissioners to suggest that for automobile prices the future allowance should be not less than $5,000, the engine to be not less than 4-cylinder; the horsepower, not less than forty. Such a machine must have sufficient reserve power to insure its operation in winter as successfully as in summer. Page 67: Rensselaer, N.Y., has contracted for new fire apparatus and the building of a new firehouse in Upper Rensselaer. ….. The protection of the suburbs of Seattle, Wash., is being looked after. West Seattle will build a $1,000 firehouse and install a chemical engine. This suburb needs the most protection. At South Park there is a chemical engine and a volunteer company sufficient only to fight small fires. Hillman City has a hose cart and 500 ft. of hose, and a fire outside the 500-ft. radius would burn, it is claimed, unchecked. Dunlap, Atlantic City and the territory along the Seattle, Renton & southern line have little protection. Dunlap has no firefighting organization and no apparatus. Kirkland, whites outside the city limits and can get no relief through Seattle aid, has no fire apparatus, and a movement is being stated among the business men to install one. A hand-engine probably will be purchased. Page 69: Naturally enough Chief Croker did not wish to be left shorthanded at such a time, and although more men were procurable by turning in another alarm yet such a course is not always either a desirable or a safe one to follow. On the other hand, no fire chief, however well posted in his legitimate calling, can pose as a medical expert, and if the doctors on the spot, who know all the ins and outs in such grave matters, think it the safer course to remove the firemen form the scene to a place of rest and quiet, where they can be properly looked after, then it is the duty of the chief to recognize their authority and submit his judgment to theirs. Much, if not all of this sort of trouble, however, might be avoided in New York city and elsewhere (for the same remarks apply also to other places), if on every engine, hose wagon and hook and ladder truck, as has already been suggested in these columns were carried a tank of oxygen for use on such occasions, and if, in addition, tow men in each crew were sufficiently trained to apply first-aid principles and administer the oxygen, in that case, there would be no need to call for alcoholic stimulation, or to remove the men affected to hospital or firehouse. Page 91: Press reports from Philadelphia, Pa., say the new firehouse of the Norwood Volunteer Fire company has been destroyed by a fire which is believed to have been of incendiary origin. Heroic efforts were made by the town’s amateur firefighters to save their new home, but the flames made headway before the alarm could be given, and by the time assistance came from the nearby towns the fire was beyond control. The Prospect Park and the Folcroft fire companies arrived on the scene after the flames had nearly destroyed the building, but they kept the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings. The firehouse was valued at $12,000. The loss is covered by insurance. Page 98: The new firehouse for engine company No. 4 on Fourth avenue north, Seattle, Wash. is one of the most modern in the city and equipped with almost every convenience known to engine house construction. Page 125: The new firehouse on Belmont avenue, near 183rd street, The Bronx, has been completed. Before this improvement was made it took from twenty minutes to a half an hour for an engine company to reach some parts of this section, the nearest companies being at West Farms and Fordham. Page 132: The directors of the Norwood, Pa., fire company have voted to offer a reward of $500 for the arrest and conviction of the person who set fire to the firehouse. Page 134: New Castle, Pa., has selected a site on Arlington ave. for a firehouse. …. Morristown, Pa., has ordered plans for a firehouse for the Lansdale fire co.; cost $4,000. Mansfield, O., proposes to build a firehouse. ….. Denver, Colo., has appropriated $10,000 for building a firehouse near the city hall. ….. Winston-Salem, N.C., has awarded a contract for 2-story bk. firehouse. ….. Easton, Pa., is building a new firehouse at Reynolds and Berwick sts. ….. Camden, N.J., will build a firehouse at Front and Linden sts. ….. Ballard, Wash., will have an ordinance introduced for a firehouse for the 13th ward, cost $13,000. Page 148: Chester, Pa., the cornerstone of the Marcus ? fire company’s $5,000 firehouse has been ?. ….. The new firehouse at Maple and Indian streets, Bellingham, Wash., has been completed and will have a crew of four men. Page 160: The new firehouse on Harmon street, Brooklyn has been completed and opened. …… West Orange, N.J., has a new firehouse in which is stationed a new 3-hose hook and ladder truck. Page 186: The recent bad fire at Wilton, N.Y., showed the necessity for a waterworks system being installed there. But, as the Wiltonians have twice turned down the propositions to build a firehouse, the waterworks scheme, it is feared will have only a poor show. Page 202: Another new firehouse is that at Hancock sure for the better protection of the dwellers round the Morningside district, Manhattan. Page 227: The new Maple street firehouse has been completed at Bellingham, Wash. Page 233: The principal addition during the past year ending March 31 was the building and equipping of firehouse No. 5. A new combination chemical and hose wagon with a crew of (7) men and (3 permanent) being installed there. This will greatly increase the fire protection of the Eastern section of the city. Engine No. 2 was rebuilt, a new boiler being added. It has now a permanent driver and a team of horses. Thirty five-gallon chemical tanks have been attached to the hose wagons, with practically, one new combination chemical, and on all the wagons have been placed 22-ft. extension-alders. Two thousand ft. of hose were also purchased — making 9,900 ft. of 2 1/2-in. hose, of which 7,000 are in good condition, the rest being fair. Page 239: The new double company firehouse, on Nimrod street for the Ridgewood section, accommodates thirty men, an engine, hose wagon and hook and ladder truck. The station which is within the jurisdiction of Deputy Commissioner Wise, of the Brooklyn and Queens section of the New York city fire department, is intended to protect an area about 1 mile square, most the territory being very congested. There are many frame houses in the section, but there has seldom been a big fire. Under the former conditions of failure in protecting the district against fire, a good blaze with a strong wind would have wiped out a considerable portion of Ridgewood. Page 244: Warrensburg, Mo., will build a new firehouse. ….. Charleston, W. Va., will build a firehouse station on the West Side, Chief Rand. ….. Little Rock, Ark., is urged by Alderman C.E. Smith to build additional firehouses in the 1st, 2nd and 8th wards. Page 251: When the fire first broke out, the wind was blowing at the rate of 10 miles an hour; its sudden change saved the rest of the property on Vale street and Everett avenue, on which was the Standard Oil company’s plant, where were stored 15,000 gal. of kerosene, and 2,000 gal. of naphtha. Two blocks from where the fire started was the plant of the Boston Blacking company, where the April fire started. The whole amount of territory burned over in the last fire was 10 acres. The Chelsea authorities may now come to the conclusion that the recent request of Chief Spencer for a firehouse near Fourth and Spruce streets should be granted. The nearest apparatus to the scene of the fire was engine No. 1 near Chelsea square, which is probably four minutes run, and the fire had made considerable headway before the alarm was sounded. Page 259: Brookline, Mass., has opened its new $60,000 firehouse. Page 285: The department as now constituted comprises the following: Chief; assistant chiefs, 3; superintendent fire-alarm; master mechanic; electrical inspector; department painter; linemen, 2; operators, 3; blacksmiths, 2; secretary; captains, 23; lieutenants, 27; engineers, 17; assistant engineers, 17; pipeline, 46; truck men, 35; drivers, 45 — total 229. The apparatus in service is as follows: Steamers, 17; chemical engines, 3; supply hose, 2; aerial ladder trucks, 2; ordinary trucks, 6; water tower; hose wagons, 16; 4-wheeled hose carriages, 4; supply wagons, 24; hose, 2 1/2-in. rubber, 36,000 ft.; 2 1/2-in. cotton, 9,600 ft. in reserve are 3,250 ft. chemical rubber, 550 ft. chemical cotton, a chemical engine and a steamer. During the year were purchased and installed 5 fire-alarm boxes — making a total of 313 (25 private); 2 turret nozzles; 5,000 ft. cotton, 1 12-ft. suction and 72 ft. 1-in. chemical hose, 2 chief’s buggies, and 19 horses — making 138 horses in service. A new engine house is to be built and equipped, and the following recommendations are made: The purchase of an up-to-date water tower; the erection and equipment of another firehouse; the increase of the number of men so as to make all engine companies to consist of 9 men and each hook and ladder company, of 10. Page 308: On the arrival of the chief, he found two chemicals and a hydrant stream at work. An extra engineer and team brought the reserve engine from the central firehouse, and Everett was telephoned to for aid, as were Boston, for all the help that it could spare without regard to the alarms, and all the surrounding cities within ten miles. This outside assistance arrived as promptly as could be expected, “yet the fire was gaining headway a good deal faster, and the Hebrew tenants in the neighborhood were panic-stricken, coming out of their homes carrying mattresses and clothing, on which sparks would alight, and they would be dropped on the street; the wind fanned them into a blaze in an instant, and blue them in among the wooden houses, thus spreading the flames.” …. Roofs all round were catching fire, and soon the blaze became altogether unmanageable. Page 315: At Conshohocken, Pa., a new firehouse has been erected for Washington fire company No. 1. Page 347: Plainfield is to have an additional firehouse in the Netherwood district. It will be a 2-story building, 37x60, and constructed of hollow and fireproof brick stuccoed. It will have stalls for four horses and will accommodate a combination chemical and hose wagon and a steamer, with dormitory room for six men and a captain; baths, etc., will be provided and the hose tower will be 60 ft. high. Page 356: Sterling, Ill., is building a new firehouse. ….. Beatrice, Neb., has begun the erection of a $6,000 firehouse. The new East End firehouse at Altoona, Pa., has been completed. Page 368: Oneida, N.Y., is having a cistern placed in the tower of the central firehouse, so as to supply the firemen with soft water. Page 376: Firemen were known to the borough as early as its first existence. At a meeting of the town council on August 24, 1812, the subject of a fire company was discussed, and the next June a movement was set on foot for the organization of a company. A committee of council appointed for the purpose asked a bid of Patrick Lyon for a fire engine. The estimate was given of from $550 to $570. The bid was submitted to council. The county commissioners were appealed to for a contribution and for permission to erect a firehouse on the Courthouse lawn, now the Public square, at Main and Dekalb streets. A donation of $150 was given by the commissioners, a sit, at the corner of Main and Swede streets. A stone house, 12x15, was built. The Pat. Lyon, the first hand-engine in the town, was secured in April, 1814. It is still in possession of the Montgomery hose company. Page 382: The Narragansett, R.I., fire engine company has a new firehouse. The new Village square firehouse at Brookline, Mass., cost $60,000. ….. At Rochester, N.Y., a site for the new Twentieth ward firehouse has been secured. ….. At Memphis, Tenn., an early morning fire started in the lumber piles of the Wabash Screen Door company, and, by the good work of the department, was confined to the place of origin — a few sheds only excepted. The blaze was discovered by the firemen on watch in a firehouse, 1 mile off, some time before the telephone message announcing it was received. Four companies responded; but it was difficult for them to reach the scene, as the main street leading to the factory was torn up to admit of new tracks being laid. Page 392: Kingston has opened a new central firehouse. The authorities have moved to it the horses and equipment of the Wilwyck and the Weiner hose companies. The house of the diner company will be abandoned. Three members of the paid department will always be on duty at the central office for the hook and ladder truck and two for the hose wagon. The department has bene greatly improved in every way during the past year and the city’s fire commissioners from a very competent boy of men. …… The Thamesville end of the city, in which are located the chief factory buildings, is very greatly in need of protection, and should have its firehouse enlarged so as to accommodate modern apparatus. The water mains, also, are too small for adequate protection, as was proved during the year. Another engine is very greatly needed for the protection of the West Side, and there should also be purchased a light city-size chemical-equipped truck, as the aerial truck is too heavy to be handled over many hills; in winter it cannot be done. The Falls section needs a new firehouse, equipped with a combination wagon. All the volunteer companies, also, should be changed to part paid, so as to have someone in the stations at all times. At present telephone calls must be answered by central-station companies, 2 miles away. All the apparatus should be fitted with rubber tires. The full-paid manual form the department consists of twenty men: chief; captains of companies, 3; drivers, 5; tiller man; hose and letterman, 10. The call from is as follows: Deputy chief; captain; engineers, 2; stokers, 2; drivers, 2; call men (bunkers), 22; call men (not bunkers), 8; three volunteer companies — estimated number that respond — 45 — true working force, 95. Page 399: Frank Schollenberger, engineer of company No. 7, of the Trenton fire department, dropped dead in the firehouse from heart disease, complicated with an attack of vertigo. He as born in Pottstown, Pa., forty-nine years ago, and was a fireman for twenty-three years. Page 401: The plant of the Crystal Salt company at Salt Lake City, Utah, was recently destroyed by fire. Two buildings, 1-story and 3-story, were burned. The walls were wood, which rendered them an easy prey to the flames, which broke out at 6:30 p.m., the cause being unknown. The night watchman discovered the blaze in the ceiling of the engine room; but no alarm was sent to any firehouse or fire company in the city, only the private apparatus and the pumps of the establishment being used. The blaze lasted for twelve hours, and the building was totally destroyed. The plant, it may be added, was not within the limits of Salt Lake City. Page 419: The Howard and Citizens’ hose companies and the Bailey hook and ladder company, of the Rensselaer fire department, will be independent organizations after the first of the year. The city will not maintain them after January 1. It is understood that the companies will meet and decide to exist as independent organizations. The Bellinger company will be the only one in the North End which will have the support of the city, and, within a week or two, it will take possession of the new firehouse in that section. Page 425: Knoxville, Tenn., has contracted for a firehouse for the Ninth ward. It will be 56.5 by 62 ft. and two stories high. ….. Lorain, Ohio, has built a handsome brick and stone firehouse on a 50-ft. lot, the cost of which, with all extras, has been about $17,000. It has sleeping accommodations for twelve men, with stalls for six horses. Page 427: Knoxville, Tenn., has had bids submitted for the 9th ward firehouse. ….. Seattle, Wash. has awarded a contract to build a firehouse at Harvard ave. and Union st.; cost, $25,000. ….. Tulsa, Okla., will issue bonds for another firehouse; a 2d-size steamer; a 65-ft. aerial; combination wagon; 10 alarm boxes; storage battery switchboard and repeater and other equipment; dept. will be increased to about 18 pain men. R.P. Alder, chief. ….. Temple, Tex., city council has decided to build and equip a firehouse in South Temple. ….. Gastonia, N.C., has ordered plans from M.L. Hampton for a firehouse; cost, $3,000. Address Mayor. ….. Jamaica (L.I.), N.Y., will have the number of men in each firehouse increased by 6: 2 new engines will be added, and changes made in several firehouses. Chief Thomas Larkins. ….. Niagara Falls, Ont., may purchase a site for and build a firehouse. …. Butler, Pa., has contracted with N.S. Snow, local, for a $3,486 firehouse. …… Oelwein, Ia., will secure estimates to rect a firehouse.

[firehousequotes]

State Hospitals Bulletin, 1909

On Sunday night, March 21, he left the firehouse at 8 p.m. for 36 hours’ leave of absence from duty. He had never before failed to come home from duty to change his uniform, but on this occasion he did not reach home until 2 o’clock Monday morning. He smelled of whisky, but was stated not to have been intoxicated. He spoke of suicide. He seemed greatly depressed, confused and dazed. He, himself, states that during that period he does not know where he was or what he was doing. He slept until Monday noon, left the house at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, and did not return until 4 o’clock Tuesday morning, when he threatened to commit suicide with a razor, then attempted to secure possession of brother’s revolver, but after a struggle was obliged to desist. He again was dazed and confused, at this time he did not smell of alcohol, and again he could give no account of his whereabouts or his actions during this period. He then slept until 7 o’clock, went to work at 8, left the firehouse at 9 to inspect some dynamite in his line of duty. He was due at the firehouse at 6 p.m. Tuesday, but he did not go there, returning to his own house at 6:30, smelling of beer but not intoxicated. He had a stick of dynamite and attempted to attach the fuse and explode the dynamite; this was taken away from him. He then went into the bathroom, turned on the gas, and had been missing 20 minutes when he was found unconscious. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital that same evening. In connection with the amnesic period he states emphatically that he had not drank any before leaving the firehouse on Tuesday morning.

[firehousequotes]

Fire and Water Engineering, 1909

Page 5: The same bureau in its report on the rehabilitation and fire protection of the city shows that since the first conflagration 375 building permits have been issued — 165 for brick or concrete buildings; 210 for frame buildings; estimated value, $2,637,937. These are located in the conflagration area as follows: Within fire limits, 60 buildings; easterly section, 175 buildings; westerly section, 140 buildings. The Silsby engine that broke down at the September fire has been sold; the three engines that gave trouble have been satisfactorily repaired, and two new up-to-date steamers have been contracted for and will be delivered in about two months. The new central fire station is practically completed, and the new No. 5 firehouse will be ready for occupancy about April 1. New hydrants and more of them will be set, and plans are being prepared for a high-service for sprinklered risks only in the easterly tenement district, and possibly for the improvement of the high-service on Bellingham hill. The waterworks system, likewise, is to be improved according to the suggestion of the insurance companies. Page 8: A new fire station for the Salvage corps of the borough of Brooklyn, New York, will be opened very soon at 12:14 Dean street, about one block away from the present station at 172 Pacific street. It will be known as No. 1 station and will serve the downtown section of the borough. The old No. 1 station will then be abandoned. the new station is described as a model firehouse, and is equipped with every convenience that can be found. The structure is 50 ft. in width and 100 ft. deep. It is two stories in height. The exterior is of brick, with limestone trimmings. It is not only convenient, but commodious — a matter of much importance to those who have to live in it. Page 9: The Ninth ward in Knoxville, Tenn., will be afforded ample protection when the new firehouse is built. It will be up to date in every particular and its front will be of red pressed brick trimmed in marble, the roof being of slate. The tower, or cupola, will serve as a hose tower. There will also be a heating room outside of the building, a hospital staff for sick horses, and a coal bin adjoining the building. On the first floor will be two large swinging doors, opening automatically; in the center is the hose tower. Towards the rear is the switch board and watchman’s desk. The floor is of concrete and reaches to about the center of the building. In the center will be placed the engine and combination wagon and 4 stalls for the horses. Each stall will have a dirt floor, and in the rear of the apparatus stalls will be a concrete floor. On the west side will be a platform for hay, with a tin-lined oats-bin, a sawdust-bin and a work bench. In the rear will be the heater for the constant supply of hot water for the engine. It will be installed in an adjoining building and will also supply heat for the whole house. A 23x48.6 dormitory for the firemen will be on the second floor, and adjoining it will be a 20.9x20 ft. gymnasium, a 16.6x20 ft. reading room and a hay loft. In the rear will be a linen closet, bathroom (shower and tub), toilets, locker and another work bench. Page 15: Chief I.H. McCracken, of Oskaloosa, Ia., writes that the new firehouse will be completed in February. It is 49x60 ft., and has three stalls. It will be finished in the most modern manner and equipped with the best apparatus. Page 14: Hayward, Cal. is considering plans for proposed firehouse of Hayward volunteer dept. ….. Ardmore, Okla. will vote on issuing $20,000 firehouse improvement bonds. ….. Mansfield, O., proposes to build a firehouse in the northeast section. …. Pique, O., council has passed an ordinance appropriating $2,000 for a firehouse. Page 17: The walls are everywhere 6 in. thick. The columns, including those integral with the walls, are spaced 12 ft. on centers, and are 12x12 in. in section. There is a clear height of 17 ft. in the apparatus from and 9 ft. in the basement. Column caps 4 ft. square secure extensive bearing-surface for the roof and floor. Reinforcement for the latter consists of 3/8-in. cold-twisted bars, spaced 4 in. on centers close to the under-surface and spanning the space between the columns. Four 3/8-in. bars disposed in the corners of the columns furnish reinforcement against flexure. The firehouse itself is free from any danger of fire, because of its complete concrete construction, which includes the roof and extending eaves. Window frames and sashes, door frames, and doors, including stair railings and posts, are the only part of the station in which wood is employed. Page 20: Company No. 2 of the Wilkinsburg, Pa., fire department has built a 3-story firehouse of buff brick, with Indiana limestone trimmings, the basement to be used as a stable. The building cost about $15,000. Page 21: The department, as it stands today, consists of one full-paid driver, chief, assistant chief and ten other part-paid firemen, with ten volunteer firemen equipped with three horses, one modern two-horse wagon (Seagrave), carrying 1,150 ft. of double-jacket, 2 1/2-in. hose, one one-horse hose wagon (loaded) in reserve, one one-horse hook and ladder truck (remodeled), carrying Seagrave ladders, three other hose reels located in different parts of the city, besides small hose. The department is housed in a small but neat and handy firehouse, which is located near the central part of the city, is provided with all the latest apparatus for quick-hitching and has clean and comforable sleeping quarters for the men — the sleeping quarters being directly over the apparatus. Page 25: During the past year the firemen of Elizabeth, under Chief August Gerstung, were kept busy. Up to December 15 they answered 268 alarms. Eighteen new hydrants were set, and four extra alarm stations were installed. The new hook and ladder truck for company No. 2 was placed in service, and plans were taken up for an extension of the department to meet the requirements of the newly annexed El Mora district. On account of a technical flaw in the measure, it has been decided to recommit the ordinance authorizing the issuance of $24,000 worth of bonds for the new firehouse to be erected in the Eleventh ward of Elizabeth. Page 26: Ridgefield, Mas., has built a new brick 35x60 firehouse. Page 34: The new central engine house, now in process of erection, will serve as a headquarters for the fire department and police patrol. It will cost $90,000, and its dimensions will be 94x196. The police patrol will front on Seventh street; the firehouse, on eight street. The main room will be 90x60 ft., with a balcony 50x8 ft. over head for visitors. The stable for the horses will be 90x30 ft. and will have all the latest improvements. On the second floor will be a sitting room, 60x30; a dormitory, 60x30 ft. There will also be a gymnasium, with bathrooms, baths, shower and ordinary, toiletry and drying room for the use of both police and fire departments. The chief’s headquarters will be on Court street. Page 43: In the central station are the headquarters, the men being under the command of Captain Dennis Madigan. The apparatus comprises the following: Double-tank chemical engine; hose wagons, 2; 65-ft. aerial truck; chief’s buggy. In firehouse No. 2, under the command of Captain Fred B. Coakley, is a 2-horse combination chemical and hose wagon. In No. 3 house are a 2-horse combination chemical and hose wagon, a service truck and 5,000 ft. of good hose. The fire alarm is given by a whistle. M.J. Peterson is fire marshal; his assistant is John Cater. During the last year the department answered 150 alarms — five more than ever before. Page 49: The chemical tank on the combination wagon holds 50 gal. of chemical, which is considered enough to put out any ordinary fire; but, in the event of the supply being exhausted, small reservoirs containing a very strong solution of the chemical are held in reserve, and, in cases of emergency, are placed in the tanks and water added, thereby renewing the 50-gal. Supply. The second test was superintended by S.T. Wallace, vice president of the L.E. Boyle company, of San Francisco, and all members of the fire department are satisfied that the new piece of firefighting apparatus, which cost $2,1000, is a most important addition to the city. It will be located at the new firehouse in West Berkeley, and will assure the manufacturers of that section of the city better protection. Page 61: Rockaway, N.J. council has referred matter of accepting residents’ offer to build a firehouse to fire com…. repairing apparatus and purchasing patent hose couplings. E.M. Lowenthal, chief. ….. Ottawa, Ont., is urged by Chief Provost to provide for the adequate protection of 3 newly annexed suburbs. He asks for an additional h. and l. truck, a 1,000-gal. steamer, another aerial truck, a water tower and 4,000 ft. of hose capable of withstanding high pressure; also, for firehouse No. 4 to be replaced by a new building, for firehouse No. 3 to be rebuilt, and for firehouse No. 3 to be sufficiently enlarged to admit of a h. and l. truck being placed there. ….. New Haven, Conn., is urged by Chief Fancher to build a firehouse in Prospect st. Altoona, Pa., is securing a site in the 12th ward for a firehouse; ordinance for a hose wagon for No. 9 station in Fairview list. referred to com. on fire. ….. Irvington, N.J., council approves the recommendations for new equipment for auto truck, sliding pole in town hall firehouse. Bids will be asked on 1,000 ft. of hose and removing fire alarm wires from Union ave. to Augusta st. ….. Topeka, Kan., has secured a site for firehouse No. 6. …. Philadelphia, Pa., has referred ordinance appropriating $30,000 for remodeling a firehouse in the 30th ward to the finance committee. Page 70: The paid fire department, however, had to come, and he at once joined it, and has been a fireman ever since. In 1889, after he had been raised to the rank of a district engineer, he found time to get married, and not long after had his arm broken at a fire. Notwithstanding this severe hurt, he would not go off duty, and, in order to keep him away from the firehouse altogether and at the same time to allow him to be in touch with the operations of the department and his own district — No. 4, a fire alarm box and gong were installed in his home, which was within a few feet of his headquarters in the house of engine company No. 21. Page 83: It cannot be that the municipal authorities are ignorant of the fact that ti is the first few seconds after the fire has started that count, for which reason a thoroughly reliable and yet perfectly simple system of turning in an alarm should be installed at once. It would pay, if only by the reduction in fire insurance rates that would follow such installation. At least the business section of the city should be so equipped, and, as it is only the first step that costs, other boxes might afterwards be gradually installed. Nor should any considerable portion of the city be left without at least one firehouse being within easy distance of every building in the section. The reverse appears to be the case in ward No. 1, in which were twenty-one out of the sixty-nine fires that took place during the past year. Page 87: During the past year Knoxville, Tenn., has greatly improved fire protection, and now Chief Sam B. Boyd will feel more at his ease, but not entirely so till he sees the following recommendations carried out: Placing the extra engine in service — this would make five engine companies in service at all times; the erection of a standpipe, so as to furnish sufficient pressure at North Knoxville, and the addition of 4,300 ft. of hose so as to have at least 11,800 ft. of really reliable hose. The betterments made, excels of those in the waterworks system included the following: First-size Metropolitan engine, rubber-tired; double 50-gal. chemical engine, rubber-tired; wagon with Glazier deck-pipe, 2,000 ft. of standard hose; Hale water tower; additional horses and harness. A new firehouse is being built; the addition to the North Knoxville firehouse has been contacted for; and 24 men are being added to the strength of the department — making a total of seventy-nine full-paid men. Page 90: Salem, Mass., is recommended by Mayor Hurley to build a firehouse one Loring ave. Tucson, Ariz. has secured a site on 6th ave. for a firehouse. Melrose, Cal., will build a firehouse, cor. 12th st. and 47th ave. ….. Duluth, Minn., is considering sites for a firehouse. ….. Elk Ciy, Okla., will build another firehouse. Galveston, Tex., will build a firehouse; cost, $2,4000. Page 95: George M. Diven brother of John M. Diven, superintendent of waterworks at Charleston, S.C., and late superintendent of waterworks in Elmira, N.Y., died at his home in that city on February 3, after an illness of two weeks. Mr. Diven, who was in his seventy-fourth year, was born at Angelica, N.Y., and was the eldest son of General Alexander S. Diven, a resident of Elmira. He received his education in that city and Geneva, N.Y., and Hamilton college, from which institution he graduated in high standing. He studied law in his father’s office and was admitted to the bar in Binghamton, meeting with great success in his profession. He was one of the founders of the New York State Bar association, and in 1890 was elected its president. In 1863 Mr. Diven married Miss Lucy M. Brown, of Clinton, N.Y., by whom he had several children. He was a public spirited citizen and took a lively interest in municipal affairs. He was vice president of the Elmira Waterworks company from 1876 to 1888, and its president from 1888 to 1892. He took great interest in the city’s fire protection, and donated a block of land adjoining Diven park on which was built firehouse No. 4, thereby affording fire protection to the old seventh ward. Mr. Diven was also interested in the La France Fire Engine company. During his life he was most highly respected by all his fellow citizens as a man of culture and probity, one always on the watch for some opportunity to help on his fellowmen. Page 101: On account of the good work done by the firemen of Rushville, when the Memorial building was burned down, three of the citizens have pledged to give $100 each, when the volunteer hose company incorporates, towards building and equipping a firehouse. Page 121: Robert-dale, Inc., is building a firehouse in Indiana boulevard. ….. At St. Joseph, Mo., with the building of the new firehouse at Sixth and Jule streets, all parts of the business sections will be placed within a few blocks of one of the other of the firehouses. Page 127: Twelve firemen were exposed to the danger of suffocation in the basement of the 5-story tenement house, 313 First avenue. They went down into the basement with their hose and dropped unconscious, one after the other, owing to an escape of gas, form the pipes attached to the meters, which had been melted by the flames. They were found by their comrades, dragged to the streets and revived by the doctors in attendance, who turned vestibules into temporary hospitals. With the exception of one man, who was taken back to his firehouse, all rallied quickly. Three days afterwards, the same tenement house was again set on fire, kerosene oil being liberally employed. Once more engine No. 5 was the first on the scene, with nearly the same men who had been knocked out before. This time, however, the blaze was in the hall. The flames were quickly put out, but the tenants were badly scared. It made the fourth attempt within three weeks at burning that house. Page 128: Chief F.A. Leonard, of Taunton, Mass., fire department makes, the following recommendations for the betterment of the fire protection of the city: The building of a new, 2-way, modern firehouse on Oak street; the rebuilding of engine No. 4 (now out of commission), which has been in service since January, 1865 — the cost, including the temporary use of an engine would be $2,800; the purchase of a runabout automobile, suitably equipped, for department use; the purchase of 1,500 ft. of 2 1/2-in. cotton hose. During 1908 the department answered 244 alarms, including 1 second and 1 general alarm and 2 special calls. Page 168: Clinton, Ia. has opened its fourth firehouse. It will protect the factory district. Page 183: During the year an extra second-size steam fire engine was purchased, and an automobile for the chief’s use. Six additional men were added to the permanent force, and three lots were purchased for additional fire stations. Chief Guthrie asks for an additional firehouse fully equipped; a corporation yard in which to keep extra apparatus, to stable relief-horses and train and break in new horses; also for a drill house. At present schoolhouses and other inconvenient and easily damaged buildings have to be utilized for drilling the firemen. Page 184: An explosion of gasoline set fire to a celluloid collar which David Watson, a 16-year-old plumber’s apprentice, of West Orange, was wearing. The gasoline supply having become exhausted in the stove, the boy was pouring more into the plumber’s smaller can, when the explosion took place and set fire to the lad’s collar. the firehouse was next door, and the boy made for it. When he firemen opened their doors, he was lying on the ground unconscious. they wrapped a service coat round him and put out the fire. He was taken to hospital and will recover. How the gasoline exploded no one knows. The boy does not smoke (it is claimed); no one was with him; nor was there any fire hear him. The wonder was that the building escaped being burned. Page 204: Total charges, $13,355.46; deficiency, $669.73; interest on bonds, $1,950 — cost to the city of Sidney for all free water, including 118 fire hydrants, $2,619.73. The fire-water supply, with an approximate estimate of the value of water used therein, is as under: Six school buildings , $600; 3 watering troughs, $150; 35 flush tanks (sanitary sewer), $800; city building, including firehouse, $100 — total $1,650. Two of the items in the above list — watering troughs and flush tanks — are not provided for in section 2417, R.S. of Ohio, which clearly recite the purpose for which a municipality may furnish free water. The waterworks department should be reimbursed for the water thus used and for all other purposes not authorized by the above statute. Page 218: With the enrolling of these paid men the volunteer force was disbanded and minute men were substituted — a system which was maintained up to a few years ago. Till the newest order of things was inaugurated there were always men enough in the engine house to take out the engine, which was operated by a crew regularly assigned to that work. These were paid at the rate of 40 cents an hour from the time the alarm sounded on the bell of the old First Baptist church until the fire was out, provided they reported at the scene of the blaze and at the roll call at the central firehouse. The bell was operated by a windlass arrangement and a code adopted for the alarm. The old order has changed, giving place to the new, in the shape of the Gamewell fire alarm telegraph system, which has succeeded the big city hall gong, that had ousted the old bell. The gong still sounds by means of electrical devices connected with the Gamewell system. Page 248: Butler, Pa., has a new firehouse. …. Milwaukee, Wis., is building a new No. 1 firehouse. Page 257: Hose company No. 1, of Little Ferry, has installed a new hose wagon in its recently erected $5,000, 2-story brick firehouse. Page 275: In the fire department of Bakersfield, Cal., under Chief Max Gundlach jr., are seven full-paid and eight part-paid men, equipped as follows: Steamers, 3; hose wagons, 2; chemical engine; combination chemical and hook and ladder wagon; 3,500 ft. of hose; horses, 9; and an electric fire alarm system with about 5 miles of wire. They are housed in an up-to-date $31,000, 2-story, brick firehouse with a lofty tower. The total fire loss last year was under $18,000. Very few wooden buildings remain in the city, and no wooden roofs are allowed within its fire area. Between twenty and thirty fire hydrants are set and the fire pressure is 40 lb. Page 279: Under existing conditions, a city, with such a large fire area as that of Elyria — 3,900 acres — and so many wooden buildings, should have at least two steamers and two hook and ladder trucks and, besides, should own its own teams to haul every piece of apparatus, and, not least, the aerial truck, which is not so equipped. To depend upon livery horses for such an important firefighting matching is to invite loss of property, even life, through the delay that must ensue in getting out horses, taking them from the livery stable to the firehouse, and then hitching them up. The necessity for another truck was also shown, when during the fire the aerial machine was damaged by the falling walls and had most of its ladders burned. Page 291: A new firehouse for Tucson, Ariz., will probably be placed in commission this month. ….. At San Francisco no more licenses will be granted for the keeping of a saloon within 150 ft. of a firehouse. Page 346: The fire protection at Savannah, Ga., needs special improvement in the southwestern portion of the city, especially round the Union station — a neighborhood which is not only very populated, but, also, has streets so badly paved as to delay the fire apparatus, in case of its being needed there. What is wanted therefore is a firehouse to be built there, or, at all events a hose company should be established. During the year engine company No. 9 has been formed for the protection of the southeastern part of the city, which needed it badly. The new house is in every respect up-to-date. The headquarters of the fire department have also been moved to a new office built over the east wing of engine company No. 3. Page 353: At Blissville, borough of Queens, New York, has been erected the finest firehouse in the borough for engine company No. 159. It is a 3-story brick structure, in every way up-to-date. The top floor is the recreation room, extending the full length of the building and lighted and ventilated from the top and sides. In this room are closets built into the wall for each member of the company. Each closet is lighted by an electric lamp, and has a ventilating tube. In this room are tables and chairs and other conveniences. The second floor is the dormitory. There is also a bathroom, with tubs and showers and hot and cold water. Built into the wall is a cabinet with apartments, each just large enough to contain shaving necessities. At the front of this room is the office for the captains and lieutenants. the main floor of the building, where are the engine and tender, the horses and the receiving station for alarms is a model of sanitary construction. The walls are of vitrified brick for about 8 ft. from the floor, and above that to the ceiling are of white tile. The ceiling is of metal and is painted white. The horses have roomy stalls and feed boxes that slip back into the wall when they are not in use. Truck company No. 78, which will soon be organized, will share the house with the engine company. its apartments will be exactly similar to those occupied by the engine company. Page 377: There should be at once added to the equipment a fireboat, 2 new engines, a combination hose and chemical wagon and a new house on Fourth avenue East, near Seventh street. The fire commissioners ask, besides, for an automobile, for the use of the department, and a low flat car for the transportation of apparatus over the street-railway lines between Lakeside, West Duluth and Superior, and the building of a new firehouse on Nineteenth street, to take the apace of an old structure on Park Point. During the past year the department answered 406 alarms, of which 8 were special calls; 2, second alarms; 3, second and third alarms combined. Page 378: The contracts have been signed for the new No. 2 firehouse at East Orange. Exclusive of extras and the architect’s fees, it will cost $15,573. The building will be 2-story, with basement. There will be a hose tower at the rear, 56 ft. high from the floor. A masonry wall will divide the building in the middle, and on one side will be the truck, with its three stalls in the rear and bedrooms and bathrooms for the men above. A slide for the men will be placed at both ends of the two rooms. The truck room will be 60 ft. deep and the chemical 54, space being taken at the rear for the tower. Each room will be 19 ft. wide, the exterior dimensions of the structure being 42x67 ft. The material will be of plain brick, except for the front, which will be of faced brick. The basement will be used solely for the heating apparatus and coal bins. Page 381: The Dayton, Ohio, Journal thus speaks of its fire department and its members: “As a concrete example of excellent organization and fire service, we may safely point to Dayton’s fire department. It is quick, alert, ready; well manned and well disciplined; effective in its work. Any firehouse in the city might well serve as a lesson to housekeepers, in order and cleanliness and convenience. …. There is no public department in Dayton more efficiently equipped upon the human side. Page 382: One of the social features of the life of the town is the annual firemen’s ball given by this company each Easter week in Washington hall. The proceeds each year go toward a fund for assisting needy members and for the purchase of rubber coats and boots. An occasional target excursion helps to make the company popular. Walter Stiles has been active in the company for several years; for five of them he has been the president and is now treasurer, as well as presiding officer. Frederick J. Sharrette, former foreman, is one of the active men in the company, though it would be hard to say which are the most active with such lively fellows in answering alarms as Herbert C. Wildey, Fred LeFurge and some of the others who live close by the firehouse. Page 401: Nangatuck, Conn., is to have a new and thoroughly up-to-date hose house. It will cost about $25,000 and will face on Maple street. The old firehouse has outlived its usefulness. Page 407: The Fifth ward department has a hose wagon, with 1,200 ft. of rubber hose, hose jacket, Snyder shut-off, 10-ft. roof-ladder, 20-ft. extension ladder, 24-ft. extension ladder, hose expander, etc. A chief’s buggy is at Chief Arnold’s residence. Chief Arnold’s recommendations are as follows: The extension of water mains and more fireplugs in the Frisco addition, Moore addition and south of the Sanitarium; another firehouse in the northern part of the city; the retention of the present number of paid men. Page 420: A large sum of money has recently been paid out in improving the city’s fire department, so as to keep pace with the growth of the city. The valuation of the new buildings has been such in the past two years as greatly to increase the risks which the fire department looks after. The additional risk in the value of buildings is about $8 million. There are also considerable risks in the increased valuations of contents of the new buildings. For their protection, at the rate of having one fireman to every $750,000 of risk, Salt Lake City should add nine new men to its department. Better equipment should also be provided to meet the necessity of fighting fires in buildings of 4 stories and upwards. Among these betterments should be a water tower, an additional hose wagon, a new firehouse in the southwestern part of the city. These are needed in any case, as, out of the sixty-five men who make up the working force, five must be on duty at every performance in the five theaters of the city, and men may be away at their meals or on leave when alarm are turned in. The fire alarm system, also, should be bettered by removing all the present fire alarm boxes and installing boxes with telephones in them. Page 423: Bryan, Tex., has voted to rebuilt the firehouse. Page ?: Denver, Colo., has ordered plans for the new city firehouse. ….. Evansville, Ind. accepted plans for a firehouse.

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The Atlantic Reporter, 1906

Page 144: Lockwood v. Mayor,etc. of City of East Orange, et al. (Supreme Court of New Jersey, June 19, 1906.) I. Municipal Corporations—Public Buildings—Erection—Submission to Votes. By the provisions of section 46 of an act for the incorporation of cities, etc. (P.L. 1899, p. 302), an ordinance to erect a firehouse on a city lot must be submitted to a vote of the citizens. 2. Certiorari—Review of Ordinance. Section 71 of that act (P.L. 313), which provides that no certiorari shall be allowed to set aside any ordinance for any improvement after the contract therefor shall have been awarded, does not apply to an ordinance to build a firehouse. ....

Page 145: This writ brings up an ordinance passed by the city counsel of the city of East Orange on July 11, 1904, which ordinance provided that there should be appropriated and raised by taxation for the fiscal year beginning March 1, 1904, and ending March 1, 1905, inter alia the sum of $20,000, for building and equipping a new firehouse in the Fifth Ward. The writ also brings up a resolution of said city counsel adopted on March 28, 1904, recommending that a firehouse be erected on the city’s lot on Park avenue, in the Fifth Ward; also a resolution on June 13th, adopting the report of a committee recommending that the clerk advertise for bids for the erection of the firehouse; also the resolutions awarding contracts and also the contracts for such erection. All these proceedings are parts of a scheme to erect a firehouse to be paid for by taxes raised upon property in East Orange. The validity of the whole scheme rests upon the ordinance of July 11, 1904. The legality of that ordinance is challenged because, it is insisted, the question of building a new firehouse should have been first submitted to the voters of East Orange which, it is admitted, was not done. .....

.....Now, that a firehouse is a municipal building is, of course, manifest. Nor will the rule of statutory construction that when general words follow particular and specific words, the former must be confined to things of the same kind, operate so as to remove firehouses from the class of buildings included in the term “Municipal.” It cannot be deemed that a firehouse differs in kind from the specifically enumerated municipal buildings, such as jails, public lighting, and hospitals. Nor do I find any exclusion of firehouses from the operation of section 46 because of the power conferred upon council in section 51 to pass ordinance for raising by taxation moneys for the maintenance of the fire department The same section confers power to raise money by taxation for maintaining public parks and for lighting the streets of the city, but that no land for parks and no lighting system can be purchased without the approval of a majority of the voters at an election appears by the express provisions of section 46. The two sections should be construed together so that both may stand; and so construed the ability to purchase land, and to erect a new firehouse rests upon the approval of such a proposition by a popular vote. When the building is so erected the power to maintain and repair it conferred by section 51, comes into play. .....

.....Upon inspection of the act, it appears that sectio n 71 follows a series of sections dealing with the laying out of streets, opening, grading the same, and with the building of sewers and with the assessment of the benefits from wuch street sewer or other improvement. These are the kind of improvements, and ordinance for which, is protected from attack by certiorari after contract awarded or after a period of 30 days has elapsed after a confirmation of an assessment. Section 71 is not applicable to an ordinance of the kind in question. Nor, apart from this statute, do we find any laches which will bar the prosecutrix from prosecuting this writ. The writ was procured a week after the resolution awarding the contracts was passed and in 20 days after the passage of the ordinance of July 11, 1904. She had on July 13th joined in presenting a petition to council, requesting the erection of a building. It is insisted, however, that the lot upon which the firehouse was to be erected had been purchased in October, 1902, without a vote of the citizens approving the transaction; and that the husband of the prosecutrix, soon after the lot was purchased, knew of it and of the purpose for which it was bought. It further appears that because he thought the erection of a firehouse would injure his property in the vicinity, he proposed to find a purchaser for the lot, if council would select another site. If his knowledge is imputable to the prosecutrix, yet we do not think that because she knew a lot had been legally purchased for the purpose mentioned, she is precluded from attacking the further expenditure of money illegally in erecting a building thereon. Because she did not attack the first expenditure it does not follow that she is debarred from attacking a later and distinct illegal appropriation.

[firehousequotes]

Archaeologia Aeliana: or, Miscellaneous Tracts, 1900

A wide and rough chimney was run up inside, or sometimes outside, against one of the gables; and a small door and a tiny window back and front were left, to give entrance and light. This, the chief house of the holding, was sometimes called the ‘firehouse,’ as distinguished from other bulidings where no fire was used. The village of Cassop, in 1414, gives us the order, probably, of most of the villages of the county of Durham at that date. On the south side were a firehouse and a byre. At the east end there was a grange in a garth, with a stable at one end, a pigeon house and a pigstye. At the west end of the village was a firehouse and a grange, and on the north side a sheepfold (which very likely also answered for a pound), and a tenement consisting of a firehouse, a byre, and a grange. Besides these there would also be the common bakehouse and the common forge. To each vill would be attached a common pasture ground, and the tillage land would lie around, parceled out in strips divided by lines of turf called ‘baulks,’ the portions belonging to the several tenants being indiscriminately and very singularly mixed. It will easily be seen that this system of common and unenclosed fields (if they may so be called) would frequently give rise to disputes and bickerings, often rising to serious breaches of the peace, which were brought before the court by officers appointed by the inhabitants themselves, and sworn to perform their duties.

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Notes and Queries, 1897

Page 295: “Feer and Flet” (8th S. x. 76, 166, 339, 422; xi. 17, 113, 175, 235, 375).—In looking over some old volumes of ‘N. & Q.,’ I have come across a query which is relevant to the subject of Mr. Fèrat’s inquiry. A correspondent (3rd S. ix. 452) states that there is mentioned in a deed dated in 1680—”All that ancient Messuage or Firehouse wherein one C.M. now dwelleth, and also one Firehouse called B. house. Also all that ancient Messuage or Firehouse wherein J.B. now dwelleth,” etc. Again, he says, in 1683, lease of “the Hall or Firehouse of the Mansion of Messuage house in L.N.,” etc. The correspondent asks a question which I cannot find has ever been answered, namely, the meaning of the term “firehouse.” This is the question that Mr. Férat asked (8th S. xi. 113), and it seems odd that a term which was evidently in common use a couple of hundred years ago should have so completley gone out of memory that no one is now able to explain it. W.F. Prideaux. Kingsland, Shrewsbury. .....

Page 378: “Feer and Flet” (8th S. x. 76, 166, 339, 422; xi. 17, 113, 175, 235, 375; xii. 295).—I take it that the term “firehouse” means one containing at least one hearth and chimney—i.e., a permanent dwelling house. This seems evident from Col. Prideaux’s quotations at the last refernece. John Hobson Matthews. Town Hall, Cardiff.