SMALL FIRE LOSS AT CHARLESTON

SMALL FIRE LOSS AT CHARLESTON

该部门的出色表现多年。

It is very gratifying to review the report of Chief O. G. Marjcnhoff, of the Charleston, S. C., fire department. It shows that the total loss by fires for the year amounted to $28,850.35 only—the lowest but three in twenty years. This is a record of which any chief engineer might well feel proud. Charleston has a population of over 50,000, ana most of its buildings arc constructed of inflammable material. Like all old cities in the South, no particular attention was paid to fireproof construction, so that the small fire loss shows a remarkable vigilance on the part of the fire department, and one which the insurance companies ought to recognise. Only in three years has the loss been lower than in 1903. In 1900 the total loss was less than $18,000; in 1897, $21,000; 1885, $27,000, while the last year show only $29,000. The loss for the past twenty-two years shows the low average of $65,000. This is a highly creditable showing for the city, and one that reflects much credit on the very capable chief in charge of the department. The worst loss in the above number of years was in 1893, when the high-water mark of $140,000 was reached. Since that time, however, an average of less than $30,000 has been the record. This is certainly very greatly to the credit of the Charleston fire department, and especially so to its chief engineer. The equipment of the department is ten steamers, five hose carriages, seven hose wagons, chemical engine, aerial truck, two city trucks, thirty horses, and 11,700 feet of good hose. The construction of the engines dates from 1870 of an Amoskeag, to the second-size Metropolitan placed in commission in 1903. There are three Silshy engines, three Clapp & Jones, three Amoskeag and the modern Metropolitan The loss is remarkable, when the poor condition of the waterworks plant is considered. It may safely be said that nothing has saved Charleston from a conflagration but its steamer equipment. Many other cities that show a larger percentage of loss might have saved their reputation, if they had only been properly equipped with apparatus. Hydrant pres sure may act very well when fires of small dimensions have to be fought, but there is always a large factor of safety in the steamer. The city of Charleston is also well provided with a modern Gamewell fire alarm system, besides three bell alarms. The manual force of the department consists of ninetynine officers and men. The net expenses for 1903 were $52,600. and the amount of property on hand. $141,8t5. If a suggestion might be made as to equipment, the addition of a first-size engine and siamese outfits seems very necessary, and it is to be hoped the board of fire wardens will see that they are procured as soon as possible.