Vancouver Fire Service

Vancouver Fire Service

In Vancouver, B. C., during the 23 years from 1890 to 1913, the fire loss of the city amounted to $3,651,759; the insurance paid on this loss was $2,476,668, leaving a clear fire loss of $1,175,091. During 1913 the fire loss amounted to $627,799; the insurance paid totaled $530,947, leaving a clear fire loss for this period of $96,852. The value of the property involved in the fires during 1913 was $6,564,591. Last year the city installed the Gamewell fire alarm system, the advantage of which is that only the companies required to answer a certain call are notified, while under the old system all companies were notified. At present the department occupies 14 stations and has 182 men on its roll. The equipment consists of 18 pieces of automobile apparaus—2 ladder trucks. 8 hose wagons, 1 combination hose and chemical wagon. 5 chemical engines, 1 chief’s car, and 1 assistant chief’s car; 1 self-propelled steam fire engine, 14 horse-drawn apparatus—4 steam engines, 2 ladder trucks, 5 hose wagons, 1 combination hose and chemical wagon, and 2 chemical engines, and 31 horses. Owing to the city’s recent rapid growth, it has been enabled in purchasing to secure apparatus of the latest improved makes, and in consequence has an excellent equipment for a city of its size and population. The first automobile apparatus was purchased in 1908, and since that time whenever old apparatus was replaced or the demands of the city required increased equipment, this class of apparatus has been added. All automobile fire apparatus is of American manufacture.

In Vancouver, B. C., during the 23 years from 1890 to 1913, the fire loss of the city amounted to $3,651,759; the insurance paid on this loss was $2,476,668, leaving a clear fire loss of $1,175,091. During 1913 the fire loss amounted to $627,799; the insurance paid totaled $530,947, leaving a clear fire loss for this period of $96,852. The value of the property involved in the fires during 1913 was $6,564,591. Last year the city installed the Gamewell fire alarm system, the advantage of which is that only the companies required to answer a certain call are notified, while under the old system all companies were notified. At present the department occupies 14 stations and has 182 men on its roll. The equipment consists of 18 pieces of automobile apparaus—2 ladder trucks. 8 hose wagons, 1 combination hose and chemical wagon. 5 chemical engines, 1 chief’s car, and 1 assistant chief’s car; 1 self-propelled steam fire engine, 14 horse-drawn apparatus—4 steam engines, 2 ladder trucks, 5 hose wagons, 1 combination hose and chemical wagon, and 2 chemical engines, and 31 horses. Owing to the city’s recent rapid growth, it has been enabled in purchasing to secure apparatus of the latest improved makes, and in consequence has an excellent equipment for a city of its size and population. The first automobile apparatus was purchased in 1908, and since that time whenever old apparatus was replaced or the demands of the city required increased equipment, this class of apparatus has been added. All automobile fire apparatus is of American manufacture.