FIRE INSURANCE PATROLS.

FIRE INSURANCE PATROLS.

That Fire Insurance Patrols should be incorporated in the Fire Departments of cities, and maintained from the same fund that the Firemen and apparatus are, is contended by all thoughtful, liberal minded men acquainted with fire matters. In the Spectator, New York, of September 7, appeared an article supporting views which have been held by THE JOURNAL—to wit, that the maintenance of Salvage Corps or Fire Insurance Patrols rightfully belongs to the public, and should enter into the organization of the Fire Departments in the various cities, thus adding to the efficiency of the fire service.

In nearly all the large cities of this country (says the insurance journal referred to) the fire insurance companies maintain an Insurance Patrol or Salvage Corps—variously called in different cities—as auxiliary to the Fire Departments. Their equipment and maintenance are paid for by the insurance companies, those doing business in the cities where they exist being assessed proportionately to their premium receipts in such cities. It is the duty of these Patrols to attend all fire alarms, and to use their best endeavors to save property. They work independently of the Firemen, are supplied with different appliances, and seldom, at a large fire, assist in its extinguishment. They are provided with chemical fire extinguishers, and if they catch a fire in its incipierjcy they use their best endeavors to put it out; but after the Firemen come on the scene the Patrol does not interest itself particularly in the matter of fire extinguishment. Indeed, they could not, except by courtesy of the officer in command of the fire apparatus, for by aw he is made supreme over everybody in attendance at the fire. The Patrols are equipped mainly with immense canvas covers, which they spread over property to prevent its injury by fire. We have taken the trouble to ascertain the cost of the Insurance Patrols in the principal cities, and find it to be as follows :