Springfield, Mass., Department

Springfield, Mass., Department

The annual report of Chief Daggett, of the fire department at Springfield, Mass., shows that the department answered 459 alarms during the year, 49 more than a year ago. The loss on buildings for the year was $45,031, and on the contents $80,690, a total of $125,720, on which $123,856 insurance was paid, making a net loss to the citizens of $1,864, or a loss of about $4 a fire. Serious fires occurred at the Smith Tablet Co., the Wagner Spring Bed Co. and the F. J. Cloutier block, over $50,000 of the total loss occurring in these three fires. The death of Assistant Chief Reilly is noted in the report and the worth to the department of the late chief is stated, the board believing that the citizens should take some action to provide for his widow and children. The advantage of motor-driven apparatus is called to attention and the replacing of the horse-drawn apparatus by automobiles is shown. Among the recommendations arc that Engine No. 1, which has been in use 28 years, be refitted with a new engine pump; that 2,500 feet of 2 1/2-inch hose be bought; that a secondhand automobile be bought for the use of the assistant chief and more for the purpose of learning the firemen to handle the machine, which could be done at a smaller cost than in the use of the costly apparatus of the department ; that six new men be added to the department the coming year in addition to the ten made necessary by the acceptance of the firemen’s vacation act, as the department is shorthanded at the present time; that the fire alarm wires be placed underground in the thickly-settled districts. The receipts of the department for the year were $114,737, and the expenses $114,733,

The annual report of Chief Daggett, of the fire department at Springfield, Mass., shows that the department answered 459 alarms during the year, 49 more than a year ago. The loss on buildings for the year was $45,031, and on the contents $80,690, a total of $125,720, on which $123,856 insurance was paid, making a net loss to the citizens of $1,864, or a loss of about $4 a fire. Serious fires occurred at the Smith Tablet Co., the Wagner Spring Bed Co. and the F. J. Cloutier block, over $50,000 of the total loss occurring in these three fires. The death of Assistant Chief Reilly is noted in the report and the worth to the department of the late chief is stated, the board believing that the citizens should take some action to provide for his widow and children. The advantage of motor-driven apparatus is called to attention and the replacing of the horse-drawn apparatus by automobiles is shown. Among the recommendations arc that Engine No. 1, which has been in use 28 years, be refitted with a new engine pump; that 2,500 feet of 2 1/2-inch hose be bought; that a secondhand automobile be bought for the use of the assistant chief and more for the purpose of learning the firemen to handle the machine, which could be done at a smaller cost than in the use of the costly apparatus of the department ; that six new men be added to the department the coming year in addition to the ten made necessary by the acceptance of the firemen’s vacation act, as the department is shorthanded at the present time; that the fire alarm wires be placed underground in the thickly-settled districts. The receipts of the department for the year were $114,737, and the expenses $114,733,