Petitions - City of Somerville

Thursda.,Jul.
Some of the helmets have "been in use for many years and are
"battered and worn. Some helmets are made of a paper composition and crumble
after being subjected to heat.
Some of the present helmets can be put in good condition but
at least 30 new helmets are required.
I found that there are only three life nets in the Department
and one of these is an old time canvas net of the obsolete type. These life
nets have never been tested and no one can tell whether they will stand up
under use.
I am informe'd that the firemen never have been instructed in
the use of life nets. I recommend the purchase of three new life nets. I fine
that some of the Companies have no gas masks at all. In fact there are only
six gas masks in the whole department \vhich are in usable condition. There
are some gas masks rated as equipment which were condemned more than 5 years
ago* I recommend that each Company be supplied with two gas masks of all
service type which may be used under all kinds of conditions liable to occur
at a fire and that the superior officers also be provided with same. This
will necessitate the purchase of 25 all service gas masks.
I find that the department is not equipped with a foamer to
fight gasolene fires. In view of the tremendous storage of gasolene within
the City limits I urge the purchase of Foamer equipment. I found that there
is no equipment available in the case of elevator and similar accidents. I
therefore recommend the purchase of an acetylene torch for this work and I
have instructed the Chief to organize a mechanical Company to handle this
equipment, and to dispatch this Company to all fires. This mechanical company
will also supervise all departmental repairs.
I found that many of the Spanner Belts are worn oxit and not
fit to use. At least 50 nev; Spanner Belts are needed and these should be of
the latest type and design for carrying lights. I found that the hand lights
used by the Department are of an old type and should be replaced with modern
ones..Twelve (12) of these lights are required at once.
I found that several of the medicine chests and first aid
kits were not complete and have instructed that they be replenished at once.
I found that the chemical tanks of Hose 5 have been out of
order since July 4th. Arrangements are now being made to replace these tanks
The department engines and pumps have never been tested for maximum capacity
nor has the hose been subjected to a maximum pressure test. The Department
is not equipped with a Smoke Ejector for fighting fire where there is a
smoke, nor is it provided with a Flood-light truck, so that the work of the
Department might be faciliated in fighting night fires.
The Department is not equipped with deck guns, and I recommend
the purchase of tv/o deck guns at once.
I have instructed the Chief to make arrangements with' the
Boston Fire Department for the proper training of our officers and men.
This communication is not to be considered as a criticism of
the officers and men of the Department, on the contrary I found that they are
deserving of the highest praise of every citizen for the splendid work which
they have done with the inadequate and improper equipment provided for them,
caused by this misguided and false economy.
In order to provide for the foregoing equipment, with the
exception of the Flood-light truck and Smoke Ejector, which will require a
large appropriation, I recommend the immediate transfer of $5000. from the
overlay account to the Fire Department Maintenance Account.
I also recommend that your Honorable Board appoint a committee
to work in conjunction with a committee of experts whom I will appoint in
the near future to make a survey of the equipment and personnel of the Fire
Department with the ultimate object of_making _our Department the equal of
that of any^clty of similar size.
Yours very truly,
John J. Murphy
Mayor.
Referred to Committee on Finance and Public Safety.
755
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