Annual Report of Decatur Fire Department

Annual Report of Decatur Fire Department

The annual report of Chief Ed Platt of the fire department of Decatur, Ill., for the year ending April 30, 1921, was recently presented to the commissioners of public health and safety, it being the second annual report of Chief Platt and the thirtyseventh of the fire department. In this report is presented a tabulated statement of all fires and alarms, and the causes thereof as nearly as could be ascertained by careful investigation; the distance traveled in responding to alarms, and the number of feet of hose laid and ladders raised; a roster of the department showing the age and time of service of each member, and an inventory of all department property; tables showing the loss, insurance and loss to the insurance companies on both buildings and contents; and a statement of the cost of maintaining the department for the ensuing year and a statement of the expense of the past year.

The department during the past year responded to 14 alarms from street boxes, 168 from telephones, 72 still alarms and 32 false alarms, making a total of 286 alarms for the year. It also answered 23 calls for the lungmotor and traveled, in answering the alarms, a total distance of 20,878 blocks, laid 59,350 feet of hose and raised 2,286 feet of ladders. The total loss was $199,350.04. The department made a total of 1,048 inspections of flues and general conditions of buildings. Company No. 1 moved from its old quarters at 136 West Main Street to its new and modern quarters at 202 South Franklin Street on October 26, 1920. Engine House No. 1 is a two-story brick building, located at 202 South Franklin Street and is equipped with a combination chemical and hose truck, a 65-foot aerial truck, a chief’s car and one automobile hose car, held in reserve. Engine House No. 2 is a two-story brick building located at -550 North Morgan Street, and is equipped with a combination chemical and hose car and one second size Ahrens steam fire engine held in reserve. Engine House No. 3 is a twostory brick building, located at 1265 North Main Street, and is equipped with one automobile hose truck. Engine House No. 4 is a one and one-half story brick building, located at 1174 East Locust Street, and is equipped with one automobile hose truck.