Guarding Panama-Pacific Exposition form Fire

Guarding Panama-Pacific Exposition form Fire

According to exports on fire risk there is not an area in the world that is as safely guarded against conflagration as California's $50,000,000 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. On the 635 acres of highly inflammable structures, practically every known agent tor fire fighting has been installed, from water to chemicals, and from high-powered motor apparatus to automatic sprinklers and alarms. High-pressure and low-pressure mains on the exposition grounds tap those of the city's system. In view of the fact that great disasters have gone hand in hand with expositions in the past, nothing has been left undone here in fire prevention. Three up-to-date fire engine houses, harmonizing in architecture with the architectural scheme of the exposition, are situated on the grounds. No. 1, fire headquarters, is at the Fillmore street entrance, in the main exhibit palaces section; No. 2 firehouse is in the "Zone," the amusement area, and No. 3 is adjacent to the Fine Arts Palace, in the State and foreign nations section. J. F. Layden, one of the city’s experienced fire fighters, is in charge of the exposition department as chief, with Timothy Harrington assistant chief. At present there arc 100 men stationed at the three houses, comprising in all seven companies, and by the formal opening of the exposition this number will be greatly increased. The men are put through daily drills to acquaint themselves with the grounds and the intricacies of the great exhibit palaces and other structures. At the headquarters station are housed an aerial truck, a pumping engine, hose wagon and squad wagon, all motor driven. The aerial truck is equipped with eightyfive-foot ladders and is an innovation in ladder trucks in service on the Coast. The squad wagon, in addition to hose and chemicals, carries a special crew of firemen, the purpose of this being to get to the scene of every fire in the quickest time possible with a force of men trained to take the lead in cither extinguishing fire or preventing its communication to a larger area. At No. 2 firehouse on the "Zone” are a pumping engine, a hose wagon and chemical. At No. 3 firehouse are a ladder truck and engine and a hose wagon, all motor driven. It is probable that the equipment may also be increased after the opening of the exposition.

Hydrants.