The Ellensburg Fire Department.

The Ellensburg Fire Department.

Ellensburg, Wash., knows when it has a capable man at the head of its fire department, and, accordingly, was more than pleased at the re-election of Peter Schuller to serve for the second time as head of its firefighting force. Chief Schuller is a man whose strong point is looking after the fire protection of his city, and, in addition to a natural bent in that direction, he has rendered himself all the fitter to fulfil the duties of his highly responsible position by attending every possible fire convention in the Northwest, and, whenever it is in his power, being present at all tests or exhibits of the most modern types of fire apparatus. In this way, he has acquired a large amount of experience and a thorough technical knowledge of the best styles of machinery called for by his profession, and has become intimately acquainted with all the most up-to-date methods of employing them. He has thus greatly increased the knowledge and experience he had already gained in his eleven years’ service in the fire department of Ellensburg, during four of which he has been its chief, and has thereby not only fitted himself to serve his city and administer the affairs of his bureau, but, also, to drill his men thoroughly, and make them—one and all—competent to act intelligently and individually when the necessity arises. He has thus a department on which he can rely and in which his fellow-citizens have every confidence. The department has at present in service the following apparatus: Combination chemical and hose wagon (received on January 2, 1909) ; third-size Silsby steamer (in service during the last eighteen years) ; 2-horse hook and ladder truck; 2,700 ft. of hose. A new 2-story city hall, 60x120 ft., will probably soon be built ; in which the department will be accommodated and afforded every chance to become more and more efficient. Every year (the underwriters’ rating is already first-class) Ellensburg, like all the cities in the Northwest, and not least in Washington, is a rapidly growing town. On its fire area of over 600 acres, stand many 2-story mercantile buildings of brick and stone, its residential structures being chiefly of wood: but, as might be expected in an enlightened community, no wooden roofs are allowed. It has a good gravity waterworks system, fairly well supplied with hydrants, the fire-pressure being 70 lb. What it needs further in the way of fire protection would seem to l>e more paid men and a more effective way of calling its firemen out than ringing a bell and tooting a whistle. These improvements, however, will doubtless be added when the department has been housed in the new city hall.

A new hose cart has been received at Villisea, Iowa.