THE annual loss by fire in the United States amounts to over one hundred millions of dollars, and fully one half of this loss is caused by the water used in extinguishing the fires. Before the introduction in 1872 of controlling or shut-off nozzles used on the fire-hose, the percentage of loss by water was even greater. at least two thirds of the total loss. Previous to the introduction of this much-needed device, there was used what was known as an "open pipe," a plain, open nozzle with no contrivance for shutting off the water. When it was necessary to shut off, the order had to be passed to the engineer, sometimes a long distance from the fire; and unless the nozzle could be thrust from a convenient window, the water would go pouring out, spreading destruction in all directions. In small fires, especially in "up stairs" fires in private dwellings, or in business houses stocked with perishable goods, such as feathers, silks, etc., the unnecessary destruction of property was very great. To-day, fires are fought much more scientifically, and with a great deal more system, than were those of ten or twenty years ago; and officers in command of engine companies are usually very careful not to use any more water than is absolutely necessary. Nearly every hose-wagon in the New York Fire Department to-day carries three sizes of hose - the regulation size, 21⁄2-inch, used at all ordinary fires; 3-inch (known as "third alarm hose," and only used at fires of considerable magnitude), and a small hose carried on a reel under the wagon. This hose is 11⁄2 inches in diameter, and very easy to handle, and, on account of the ease with which any number of lengths of it can be carried about, it is that oftenest used at small fires in dwelling-houses, office-buildings, and flats. With a controlling nozzle on the end, the fireman can dash up several flights of stairs and into a bedroom or closet, and extinguish a small fire before it has time to spread, using the water only where it is absolutely needed. To drag the regulation size (it weighs about eighty pounds to the length) up and around winding stair-ways, etc., would take much longer, and perhaps give a fire time to get just beyond the point of easy control; besides, when the water is finally started, a great deal more is used by this hose than is necessary, especially in the case of a small fire. It has been practically demonstrated that a considerable amount of fire can be extinguished with a small amount of water applied effectively, and the use of the small hose has done much to reduce the damage by water at fires in dwellings and flats. Then the "Chemical Engine," used considerably in the fire departments of several cities, has aided materially in lowering the loss by water at small fires. The preparation carried in the tanks of these engines has a double advantage; not only does it extinguish a large body of fire with the use of a small amount of water, but the liquid itself evaporates quickly, The hose is coiled around a reel on top of the engine, and always connected with the tanks, so when the firemen arrive at a fire all they have to do is to run off as much hose as they need, dash upstairs with the line, give the order to "dump" one of the tanks (there are two, carrying sixty gallons each), and they are all ready to go to work. The Chemical Engine, a picture of which is shown on this page, has extinguished more than twenty-five fires of considerable size since it has been in service in the New York Department, a little over a year. It is stationed on the upper west side of the city, where there are a great number of dwellings and flats, and it has aided materially in keeping down the fire losses in that part of New York. With the use of improved methods such as I leaving very little "drip" in the apartments or saved annually from destruction by water and floors underneath the fire. by fire as well. The tanks of these engines are charged with No doubt many people have noticed, when a solution of bi-carbonate of soda (baking soda) an alarm of fire has been sounded and the fire and water, with a small cylinder of sulphuric apparatus arrives, a big red wagon dashing up, acid suspended at the top. When the tank is filled with men wearing red fire-hats and white inverted, this acid is emptied into the soda and rubber coats.. They seem to be part of the reguwater, and the mixture at once generates car- lar Fire Department, and yet are not. They bonic-acid gas at a great pressure. Charging are dressed to all appearances like the regulathe liquid with this gas gives it the necessary tion firemen, but their work is different, and pressure to drive it a considerable distance. few people know that they represent a separate branch of the fire service, and one entirely un- fire, stowing goods and chattels away in canvas connected with the regular department. In New York the organization is known as the "Fire Patrol," and it is controlled and supported by the Board of Fire Underwriters, acting for the various fire-insurance companies. Practically, this detachment of the Fire Patrol, that responds at every alarm of fire, is simply the representatives of all the insurance companies put together. The companies are assessed proportionally for the support of this Patrol, and the immense amount of property saved annually by this efficient body of men proves that the money is well spent. This organization is found in nearly every large city in the United States, and is known variously under such names as Fire Patrol, Protective Department, and Salvage Corps; but their work in each city is practically the same. The history of the New York branch of this novel addition to the fire service is not uninteresting, for its establishment dates back to the beginning of the present century, at which time it was known as the "Mutual Assistance Bag Company." Originally this was a banding together of New York merchants for mutual protection at fires. Each member of the above "company" wore a "badge of distinction" at fires, consisting of a round hat with a black rim and a white crown bearing the initial letters of the organization “M. A.” on the front. He was also armed with two stout canvas bags about two by three feet in size, having upon the outside his name in full and the letters M. A. surrounded by a circle. At each alarm of fire the members of the company responded with hat and bags; and, if a fellow-member's property was in danger, saved what they could, and conveyed it in these bags to some place of safety. We find among the list of members of this organization in 1803 such names as Beekman, Bleecker, Cruger, Cutting, De Peyster, Roosevelt, Stuyvesant, and others as well known; showing that many of the pioneer merchants of New York City were incorporators of this mutual fire-protective association. It is extremely interesting to picture to the mind a group of these sturdy old Knickerbockers, working energetically amid the exciting surroundings of a bags bearing names that have since become historically famous or prominently identified with the growth of old Manhattan. In 1839 the present Fire Patrol was organized, practically evolving, so far as records. show, from this same Mutual Bag Company. Their headquarters were on Dutch Street, where a small wagon, pulled by hand, was kept stored on the top floor of a building. This wagon was lowered to the street each evening at 7 P. M., and hoisted back again at 5 A. M.; between these hours the fire patrolmen were on duty. Later the service was increased by the addition of another wagon and more men; and in 1870 the patrol was re-organized and put upon a more substantial and more effective basis. Three stations were opened in different parts of the city and the companies, under command of three officers, were taken from the regular Fire Department. The most approved wagons and the best telegraphic instruments were introduced, and the finest horses obtainable were purchased for the service. It is a question whether any branch of the regular Fire Department responded so quickly as the detachments from these different stations; and they presented a stirring picture as they thundered along on their way to a fire. The service in New York has been still further enlarged, and to-day there are five stations, each containing two sections or two complete companies; so when one section responds to an alarm, another complete section (officer, men, and wagon) is left in quarters. Each station is manned by a captain, a lieutenant, a sergeant and from sixteen to twenty-four permanent men, and is further strengthened at night by the addition of ten auxiliary men who can be called upon at any moment for service. These are men who work during the day at various other occupations and are paid only for the time they are at fires. The permanent force is also recruited from these “auxiliary men." A section of this Patrol responds to every alarm of fire in New York City. They are entirely independent of the department system, their only connection being a telegraphic one by which they get all alarms from fire head quarters. When they arrive at a fire their duty is to save property and protect it from damage by water. This they do by removing it when possible, or by covering it in the buildings with immense oil skin or tarpaulin covers. Twentyfour of these covers are carried in each wagon, and each measures fourteen by twenty feet. This makes 6,720 square feet of covering material, and a great deal of furniture, household goods, or valuable stock can be protected from water with the first wagon-load of covers. When more are needed, another wagon is sent for. These covers are not only spread over goods upon counters, tables, and so on, but they are fastened up at the sides of stores to protect property on the shelves. They can be hung over perishable goods in such a manner as to keep them practically intact while a serious fire is extinguished in the building above them. The Fire Patrol men also take charge of a building after a fire and clean out all the rubbish and water. They also board up broken windows and openings made in the dead-lights over cellars, cover roofs that have been either burnt or cut away during the fire, and leave a man in charge until the losses have been adjusted with the insurance companies. They work in perfect harmony with the regular Fire Department, and very often are of great assistance to the latter, helping them to make openings in the buildings so as to get the lines of hose in position, and aiding the regular firemen in other ways. Their record of life-saving at fires is a brilliant one, several of the most daring rescues having been performed by members of the Fire Patrol. Some of the wagons carry a complete set of life-saving appliances, such as scaling-ladders and life-nets, and the wagons also contain a large assortment of the tools used at fires. Small fires are frequently extinguished by the Patrol men, for they are very often the first company to arrive, and with the two portable fire-extinguishers, carried on each wagon, a small fire can be put out before the arrival of the engines. Thus it can be seen that their value as an aid to the regular Fire Department is not to be underestimated. Nor is it to be imagined for a moment that their work at fires is free from danger. They sometimes perform their special line of work |