AMHERST N. S. FIRE DEPARTMENT

AMHERST N. S. FIRE DEPARTMENT

在过去的火和水,出现了hort account of a recent fire in Amherst, N. S., from which a fair idea might be gathered of the efficiency of the fire department, purely volunteer, in that distant town. Its chief is C. W. Bliss, M. D., whose skill in handling fires, whose organizing powers and disciplinary ability are sufficient (if needed) to take him out of the ranks of the amateur and place him in those of the professional fire fighter. As everything relating to the volunteer fire department is interesting, and ns that of Amherst seems to be in every respect a model force, the following details sent by Chief Bliss will repay perusal. He says: “ We have a combined pumping and gravity system here, our reservoir (cement lined) holding 11,000,000 gallons and giving our 45 hydrants (8-way) an average pressure of 70 pounds. We have one central fire station and a hose station at the southern part of the town. Our population is just over 4,000. Our force consists of forty men, all told; five more having been added since the last fire. We have one Amoskcag steamer and 8,400 feet of hose in first class order. We use principally, and like best Maltese Cross (best quality) hose. Our electric flic alarm system consists of seven boxes and tappers in the homes of all the firemen and fire police, not forgetting a 1,000 pound bell in postoffice tower. We have two good horses, which we hope to keep entirely for the fire department soon, as well as their skilful driver, who is also an expert at laying hose. Wo are getting new ladders, ami hope soon to have a modern hose wagon In addition to our reels and sleds for winter. This is of course a volunteer company, getting a nominal salary of $1,000 per year, which has been supplemented since last fire, by granting each man 25 cents per hour when actually engaged fighting fire. Your valuable paper is well liked here and thoroughly read.”

在过去的火和水,出现了hort account of a recent fire in Amherst, N. S., from which a fair idea might be gathered of the efficiency of the fire department, purely volunteer, in that distant town. Its chief is C. W. Bliss, M. D., whose skill in handling fires, whose organizing powers and disciplinary ability are sufficient (if needed) to take him out of the ranks of the amateur and place him in those of the professional fire fighter. As everything relating to the volunteer fire department is interesting, and ns that of Amherst seems to be in every respect a model force, the following details sent by Chief Bliss will repay perusal. He says: “ We have a combined pumping and gravity system here, our reservoir (cement lined) holding 11,000,000 gallons and giving our 45 hydrants (8-way) an average pressure of 70 pounds. We have one central fire station and a hose station at the southern part of the town. Our population is just over 4,000. Our force consists of forty men, all told; five more having been added since the last fire. We have one Amoskcag steamer and 8,400 feet of hose in first class order. We use principally, and like best Maltese Cross (best quality) hose. Our electric flic alarm system consists of seven boxes and tappers in the homes of all the firemen and fire police, not forgetting a 1,000 pound bell in postoffice tower. We have two good horses, which we hope to keep entirely for the fire department soon, as well as their skilful driver, who is also an expert at laying hose. Wo are getting new ladders, ami hope soon to have a modern hose wagon In addition to our reels and sleds for winter. This is of course a volunteer company, getting a nominal salary of $1,000 per year, which has been supplemented since last fire, by granting each man 25 cents per hour when actually engaged fighting fire. Your valuable paper is well liked here and thoroughly read.”