WPBFD History

defenses:

with the performance.

The type 75 apparatus is the last word in firefighting equipment. Some idea of the outfit is gained from a glimpse at the accourtrements. The motor is equipped with double igni- tion, a magneto and storage battery - with a dis- tributor for each. The Schebler carburetor is equal in size to a motorcycle engine. A power- ful self-starter makes starting quick and easy. The front tread is 60 inches and the rear is 72 inches. Monster Firestone cord tires absorb the road shocks, with the rear equipment 40x8 and the front 38x7. The wheel base is 156 inches. The truck carries 1,000 feet of high pres- sure hose, a 35-gallon chemical tank with 150 feet of chemical hose, two ladders, axes, a crowbar, lanterns and two hand-size chemical extinguishers. This is the first new equipment added to the local department for four years, the last piece being the hook and ladder truck. The present combination pump apparatus was pur- chased in 1912 and has been in continuous op- eration ever since. The chemical engine is the oldest piece of equipment in use. The West Palm Beach Water Company, which pro- vided water to the city, was still owned and controlled by a Flagler subsidiary. The company provided adequate water for all domestic uses, but the required flow for fire- fighting purposes could not be met. On December 22, 1921, Chief Sadler requested that a high pressure water system be constructed to protect the area most vulnerable to conflagration. The system's three miles of mains would only be used for supplying water at major fires in the mer- cantile district. Sadler's proposal read: That a pumping station to be fire-proof and located near city dock at the foot of Myrtle Street; water to be taken from Lake Worth; two pumps, each to deliver 3,000 gallons per minute at sufficient pressure to deliver this amount from hydrants in the mercantile district at 90 pounds residual pressure; one pump to be driven by electric motor and one by an approved oil or gasoline engine. Mains to be 10" or larger on Myrtle, Nar- cissus, Althea, F. E. C. Ry., Datura or Evernia, Narcissus, Datura to pumping station. Hydrants to be located on all streets, intersections and between streets where possible. Hydrants to have 6" barrel and 6" gated connection to be located as outlined. Sadler then detailed more requests for improved fire

An approved motor-driven, quick-raising ladder truck to be installed. Aerial to be at least 65 feet in length, with the usual complement of shorter ladders. Present hook and ladder to be kept in reserve, fully equipped and ready for service. Manning of companies. Required number of companies: 2 engine or hose and one aerial ladder. A minimum of three full paid men to be on duty with each piece of apparatus in the day and four at night. Present volunteer organization of 40 men to be maintained and off shift paid men required to be subject to call. Eventually sufficient paid men to be added so that each company will have the required strength of six men in the day and eight at night, when volun- teers may be discarded. Off shift men sleeping at the station may be credited as paid men pro- vided they are required to respond to all alarms. Sufficient company officers to be ap- pointed so that at least one will be on duty in each platoon for each piece of apparatus in ser- vice. It is suggested that the combination chemical and hose car be used as a high pres- sure car carrying 3-inch hose. This car to re- spond to first alarms in the mercantile district with one engine and one aerial ladder. The other engine to be kept at the station as a re- serve. The two engines to respond to first alarms in all portions of the city not protected by the special fire main system, the hose car to be kept at the station for subsequent alarms. Men to be regularly drilled in use of appa- ratus and equipment. Fire Alarm System. An approved tele- graph fire alarm system to be installed, to be of Class C as recommended by the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Gong on alarm circuits to be installed in all pumping stations. Building Laws. Present Building Laws to be amended to conform with modern require- ments as given in the National Building Code. Fire Waste Laws. That adequate fire waste laws be enacted and rigidly enforced. Electricity. Adopt by ordinance a compre- hensive law regulating the installation of electri- cal work and equipment. Code recommended by this Association is suggested as a guide for framing this ordinance.

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