East Orange Annual Fire Report

East Orange Annual Fire Report

The East Orange, N. J., Fire Department responded to 215 alarms during the year ending December 1, 1914, and the total loss was only $20,439, according to the annual report of Chief W. E. Markwith. The loss was $17,500 less than the previous year, and was fully covered by insurance. In extinguishing the fires 15,979 feet of hose were laid, 1,774 gallons of chemicals used and 1,016 feet of ladders raised. Regarding the water pressure, Chief Markwith says in the report: “The water pressure of our city is excellent, average hydrant pressure being 80 pounds. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the Board of Water Commissioners and the Engineer of the Water Department for their prompt and efficient service rendered during the past year.” The manual department consists of one chief engineer, one assistant chief, six captains, seven lieutenants, twenty-nine firemen attached to the different companies, one electncian and superintendent of fire alarm telegraph and two assistant electricians of fire alarm telegraph, a total of 47. The apparatus in service consists of one tractor-drawn seventy-five foot aerial hook and ladder truck, one first-size combination hook and ladder truck, one auto, combination chemical and hose car, three double tank combination chemical and hose wagons, one single tank combination chemical and hose wagon, one automobile for the chief’s use, one wagon wagon for fire alarm and telegraph department and four exercise wagons. In reserve there are one third-size city hook and ladder truck, one old hose wagon, one chief’s carriage and one set of bob sleds for chief’s carriage. The chief recommends the purchase of two motor triple combination cars, one motor dual combination car and a tractor for the ladder, and 1,000 feet of hose. He also urges an increase in salary for the firemen and that 14 more men be added. The report of the fire alarm superintendent shows that the alarm system at present consists of one eight circuit repeater and a ten circuit switch board, two hundred cells of electric storage batteries, seven station indicators, two fifteen-inch street gongs, six house tappers, connected with our repeater and switchboard, forty-seven miles of overhead No. 10 copper wire attached to about three hundred and thirty-seven distributing poles, about four and one-half miles of underground cable, eighty-six street signal boxes. During the past year there was twenty-seven distributing poles reset, and thirty-three removed.

William R. Young, an assistant chief of the Milwaukee fire department for the past seven years, and a member for 24 years, died January 3, from acute bronchitis. He was born in Milwaukee in 1867.