JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT, FOR 1894. IRA WINSOR, Chairman, LEWIS E. DAVIS, BENJAMIN THURSTON, ALBERT C. WHITE, Alderman ARTHUR H. WATSON. REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRE DEPARTMENT, TO THE HONORABLE THE CITY COUNCIL : GENTLEMEN:-The undersigned has the honor of herewith submitting for your consideration, the annual report of the condition and operations of the Fire Department during the year ending Dec. 31, 1893. MANUAL FORCE. On Jan. 1, 1893, the force of the department consisted of two hundred permanent and sixty call men, a total of two hundred and sixty. During the year just closed, one permanent member has been added to the force of each of the following companies: Hose Companies Nos. 6, 11, 13, and 15; Engine Companies Nos. 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16, and Hook and Ladder Companies Nos. 3 and 5. This increased the number of permanent men to two hundred and eleven, and the call force has been reduced to fifty-one, making the total force of the department at this date two hundred and sixty-two, a net gain of two over that of the previous year. The number of men employed by the Protective Department remains the same as at the time of my last annual report, viz. three permanent and four call men. : The force of the Fire and Protective Departments is class The number of companies remains the same as at the commencement of the year, viz. twenty-six, organized as follows: 10 Hose Companies. 7 Engine Companies. 7 Hook and Ladder Companies. I Protective Company. Chemical engines are also operated in connection with Hose Companies Nos. 6 and 7; the hose wagon equipped with the 3 1-2 inch hose is run in connection with Hose Co. No. 1, and the new water tower is located at the station of Hose Co. No. 4, on Mill street. The changes made in the force during the past year have been as follows: Appointed on the permanent force... Appointed on the call force...... Transferred from the call to the permanent force.. Transferred to other companies.... Resigned from the permanent force Resigned from the call force....... Discharged from the permanent force. Reduced.... 19 2 4 9 3 1 3 1 Twenty-five candidates have successfully passed the required examination, and three have been rejected. On Dec. 4, 1893, a system of patrol and inspection was inaugurated whereby the members of the permanent force are required to examine and report as to the condition of all buildings, located within the limits of their respective company districts, that are used for the purpose of business. While sufficient time has not elapsed since the introduction. of this system to enable me to state definitely the value of the results to be attained, still I am satisfied that its adoption will be productive of great good. The risk from fire will, in my opinion, be greatly reduced, as the attention of the owners and occupants of the premises inspected will be called to any matter which is liable to cause fires, and I have no doubt but that they will gladly coöperate with this department in seeking to accomplish everything in their power, in order that the fire hazard may be brought to as low a point as possible. Aside from this, the knowledge which the members will gain regarding the construction and interior arrangements of the buildings will prove to be of much value, as, in case of fire, they can more readily ascertain the precise location. of the danger, and be enabled to employ the best methods of approaching and effectually coping with the same. Such knowledge is essential if the task of fire extinguishment is to be prosecuted in an intelligent manner, and in no way can this knowledge be secured except by the systematic inspection of the various buildings. The danger to life will also be greatly lessened, and the amount of salvage on property exposed to fire should be brought to a much larger figure than has heretofore been attained. APPARATUS. At the commencement of the year there remained but three companies unprovided with the hose wagon. The plan of substituting this style of apparatus in place of the old two-wheeled hose reel was inaugurated in 1885, and has been steadily followed since that time, and it was decided to complete the work during the year just closed. A contract was therefore awarded to John G. McIntosh, of this city, to furnish the department with three hose wagons, and as soon as completed these were placed in service as follows: Hose wagon No. 14, placed in service May 29, 1893. These wagons are provided with all the latest improvements, and reflect great credit upon the builder, who has not only exercised his skill as a workman, but has also embodied in their construction many valuable ideas, gained from his experience as a fireman during many years' service in this department. The contract made with the American Fire Engine Company of Seneca Falls, N. Y., to furnish this department with one third-size Silsby Engine, with a guaranteed capacity of |