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| AN N UAL R EPORT 193

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from

Boston Public Library

http://www.archive.org/details/annualreport1938boston

FIREMAN MAKES INSPECTION OF DWELLING

EVERY HOME VISITED DURING 1938

OF CITY

FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

ANNUAL REPORT

FIKE DEPARTMENT

AND WIRE DIVISION

CITY OF BOSTON

YEAE ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1938

CITY OF BOSTON

PRINTING DEPARTMENT

1939

/£

[Document 12 — 1939.

ANNUAL REPORT

OP THE

FIRE DEPARTMENT

FOR THE YEAR 1938.

Boston, January 5, 1939.

Hon. Maurice J. Tobin,

Mayor of the City of Boston.

Dear Sir, — I have the honor to submit herewith a
concise report of the activities of the Boston Fire
Department and the Wire Division for the year ending
December 31, 1938.

Respectfully submitted,

William Arthur Reilly,

Fire Commissioner.

HISTORY.

FIRE COMMISSIONERS.

*1874-1876. Alfred P. Rockwell.

1877-1879. David Chamberlain.

1879-1883. John E. Fitzgerald.

1883-1885. Henry W. Longley.

1885-1886. John E. Fitzgerald.

1886-1895. Robert G. Fitch.

1895-1905. Henry S. Russell.

1905. Patrick J. Kennedy.

(Acting February 17 — March 20.)
1905-1908. Benjamin W. Wells.

1908-1910. Samuel D. Parker.

1910. Francis M. Carroll.

(Acting May 27— September 16.)
1910-1912. Charles C. Daly.

1912-1914. Charles H. Cole.

1914-1919. John Grady.

1919-1921. John R. Murphy.

1921-1922. Joseph P. Manning.

(Acting Nov. 8, 1921— April 1, 1922.)
1922. William J. Casey.

(Acting April 1 — August 24.)
1922-1925. Theodore A. Glynn.

1926. Thomas A. Sullivan.

(Acting January 26 — July 6.)
1926-1930. Eugene C. Hultman.

1930-1933. Edward F. McLaughlin.

1933. Eugene M. McSweeney.

(October 16, 1933— January 5, 1934.)
1934-1938. Edward F. McLaughlin.

1938.

William Arthur Reilly.

CHIEFS OF DEPARTMENT.

1826-1828. Samuel D. Harris.

1829-1835. Thomas C. Amory.

1836-1853. William Barnicoat.

1854-1855. Elisha Smith, Jr.

1856-1865. George W. Bird.

1866-1874. John S. Damrell.

1874-1884. William A. Green.

1884-1901. Louis P. Webber.

1901-1906. William T. Cheswell.

1906-1914. John A. Mullen.

1914. John Grady. (1 day.)

1914-1919. Peter F. McDonough.

1919-1922. Peter E. Walsh.

1922-1924. John O. Taber.

1925-1930. Daniel F. Sennott.

1930-1936. Henry A. Fox.

1936- Samuel J. Pope.

* Previous to 1874, the Boston Fire Department was in charge of the Chief Er

(2)

PRESENT DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.

William Arthur Reilly, Fire Commissioner.
William D. Slattery, Executive Secretary.

Samuel J. Pope, Chief of Department.
DEPUTY CHIEFS:
Fire Prevention. Thomas H. Downey.

* Division I. Louis C. Stickel, John J. Kenney.
t Division II. William F. Quigley, John F. McDonough.
J Division III. Frank A. Sweeney, Dennis J. Coughlin.

DISTRICT CHIEFS:

District 1 (East Boston). Napeen Boutilier, William F. Donovan.

" 2 (Charlestown). Philip A. Tague, John P. Walsh.

" 3 (Waterfront). William A. Donovan, Charles D. Robertson.

" 4 (North and West Ends). Michael J. Aylward, Franklin B.
Sanborn.

" 5 (City Proper). John F. Watson, Daniel Crowley.

" 6 (South Boston). Edward G. Chamberlain, James J. Kane.

" 7 (South End and Back Bay). Michael F. Minehan, William J.
Mahoney.

" 8 (Back Bay and Roxbury). Daniel Martell, Charles H. Mc-
Donnell.

" 9 (Roxbury). William H. McCorkle, John J. O'Brien.

" 10 (Dorchester). Daniel J. Hurley, Edward N. Montgomery.

" 11 (Brighton-Allston). Thomas H. Andreoli, Joseph W. Shea.

" 12 (Roxbury-Jamaica Plain). Timothy F. Donovan, Thomas F.
Ward.

" 13 (Roslindale-West Roxbury). Charles A. Donohoe, Edward F.
McCarthy.

" 14 (Dorchester). Walter C. Glynn, James A. Gagan.

" 15 (Hyde Park). William Hart, Allen J. Jar vis.

FIRE ALARM DIVISION:

George L. Fickett, Superintendent.
William N. Bonner, Assistant Superintendent.
John Galway, Chief Operator.

MAINTENANCE DIVISION:

Edward E. Williamson, Superintendent.

John D. Buckley, General Foreman.

James W. Ryan, Engineer of Motor Apparatus.

WIRE DIVISION:

Bernard B. Whelan, Superintendent.

MEDICAL EXAMINER:

Martin H. Spellman, M. D.

* Districts 1-2-3-4-5. t Districts 6-7-8-11. X District 9-10-12-13-14-15.

(3)

RECIPIENTS OF HONOR MEDALS.

Year.

Roll of Merit, t

Walter Scott Medal.f

John E. Fitzgerald Medal.*

1880.

1882.

1883.
1897.
1898.

1900.

1901.

1902.

1903.

1909.

1917.

1918.
1922.
1923.

1924.

1927.

1929.

1932.
1933.
1934.
1935.
1936.
1938.

(E. B. Smith.
-j George F. Griffin.
(T. E. Simonds.
(Nathan L. Hussey.
\Edwin H. Sawyer.
Edwin H. Sawyer.
James F. Bailey.
Eugene Rogers.
(Peter Callahan.
I Joseph A. Kelley.
j Timothy J. Heffron.
[ James E. Downey.
Frederick F. Leary.
Florence Donoghue.
James J. O'Connor.
James F. McMahon.
■ Martin A. Kenealy.
[Dennis Driscoll.
William H. Magner.
Thomas J. Muldoon.
Dennis McGee.
Joseph P. Hanton.
Michael J. Teehan.
Charles W. Conway.
Michael J. Dacey.
Patrick E. Keyes.
Thomas H. Downey.
(Edward McDonough.
[John J. Kennedy.
Henry J. Kelley.
Carl S. Bowers.

(Carl V. Anderson,
j James G. Buchanan.
[Arthur A. Ryan.

Dennis M. Condon.

Gilbert W. Jones.

Walter P. Corbett.

Edward J. Murphy.

WiUiam O. Cheswell.

John J. Martin.

John A. O'Connor.

William C. Jeffers.

James F. Sheehan.
Dennis J. McLaughlin.

Dennis M. Condon.
James H. Curran.

[Edward J. Crowley.

Gilbert W. Jones.

John J. Boyle.

John J. Leary.
Daniel J. O'Bxien.

Thomas F. Kilduff.

Dennis M. Condon.
Joseph P. Hanton.

Patrick J. Flaherty.
John J. Crehan.

* Highest award for the most meritorious act performed during year,
t Award for special valor in performance of duty as a fireman.

j Distinguished service in the saving of life. Prior to 1922 the "Roll of Merit" was the highest
award given.

(4)

IN MEMORIAM.

"All honor unto gallantry

In reverence we pay —
That others might have days to be

These gave their lives away.
Now glory shall enshrine each name

And time their deeds defy —
Since humble men who sought no fame
Have taught us how to die."

Henry Gillen.

BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT HEROES WHO SACRIFICED
THEIR LIVES FIGHTING FIRES.

1872.

Thomas Young.

1902.

Daniel L. Shea.

William Farry.

1906.

William T. Cheswell.

Daniel Cochrane.

1907.

Cornelius H. Tagen.

1873.

Brown P. Stowell.

1909.

James B. Akerly.

James Sturks.

1910.

Patrick W. Lanegan.

John Prince, Jr.

1912.

Phillip T. Smith.

1874.

William S. Hill.

1914.

Joseph A. Hackett.

1875.

John H. Kelley.

William H. Hughes.

1878.

Fred A. W. Gay.

1915.

Charles Willett.

1881.

Thomas J. To bey.

Dennis A. Walsh.

1884.

Joseph Pierce.

1917.

Alexander F. Mitchell.

James Quigley.

Frank A. Lailer.

1886.

William H. Flavell.

1919.

Thomas J. Stevens.

1889.

Michael Murnan.

George Layhe.

J. J. Brooks.

1922.

William J. Swan.

F. P. Loker.

1925.

Owen T. Norton.

D. J. Buckley.

1926.

Michael J. Travers.

1890.

Patrick M. Crotty.

1927.

Joseph M. Donovan.

1893.

John M. Powers.

James Gavagan.

1896.

William H. Chapman.

1928.

Martin J. Callahan.

_

1897.

Joseph F. Collins.

1929.

Florence J. Sullivan.

1898.

John F. Egan.

William E. Emmel.

James H. Victory.

1930.

George J. Corcoran.

George J. Gottwald.

1931.

Michael A. Riley.

Patrick H. Diskin.

1932.

Henry J. Power.

John J. Mulhern.

1935.

Albert F. Mitchell.

William J. Welch.

Michael J. Gilligan.

1899.

Martin F. McDonald.

Frank J. Parkes.

1900.

Patrick J. McCarthy.

1937.

John T. Murphy.

Herbert Pierce.

Edward R. Lynn.

1902.

Solomon P. Russell.

1938.

Cornelius Noonan.

(5)

SECTION I— THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

Because of the character of the City of Boston with
its narrow crooked streets, large areas of old wooden
buildings (93,966 in which 1,822 fires occurred in 1938),
authorities agree that this city is faced with problems
not experienced by any other fire department in the
country. That fires in Boston have been confined
to their point of origin during the past few years reflects
great credit on the fire-fighting force.

The possibility of an emergency arising from simul-
taneous alarms is ever present as it can be readily
visualized that the dilapidated condition of the water
front might engage the entire resources of the depart-
ment under certain conditions.

The mutual aid system* would offer some security
if, for example, a serious fire broke out in an outlying
district during operations at a conflagration on the
water front. This was brought home when, on June
16, 1938, two three-alarm fires took place simultaneously.
At that time it was necessary for the department to
rely upon outside help to protect certain suburbs.

The necessity for reduced expenses in city govern-
ment is obvious and the Fire Department has cooperated
to the fullest extent in the laudable program of the
Mayor to relieve the taxpayers' burden. No new men
were appointed; no new uniforms were purchased
during 1938; no new apparatus was purchased; and
various other economies were effected. Obviously,
however, we are only postponing the day when a large
amount of fire apparatus must be purchased to provide
adequate protection for the city.

The high average age of members of the department
at the present time is a source of concern to the Com-
missioner. Until the new contributory pension system
offers inducement to elderly members of the depart-
ment to retire, a major reduction in the expense of
personnel in the fire-fighting force cannot be safely

* Mutual Aid System. Agreement between neighboring cities and towns to fill in for
one another when called upon for help.

(7)

8 City Document No. 12.

accomplished. Under the old retirement system the
city is obliged to compensate retired members at one-
half pay during the period of their retirement, and this
amount is made available by direct appropriations.

If a continuation of the downward trend in fire losses
is to be experienced, additional legislation must be
secured permitting the authority of the Fire Depart-
ment to be strengthened through participation in the
establishment of a new building code and enforcement
of penalties for certain violations as discovered by the
Fire Prevention Bureau. As most fires are caused by
carelessness it is not unreasonable to believe that the
present fire losses can be reduced by at least 50 per cent
within the next ten years, just as they have been re-
duced by 50 per cent during the past ten years. Au-
thority to order the installation of sprinkler systems in
certain old buildings on high valued land will do much
to make this reduction possible. Prohibition of the
use of fireworks except in supervised formal public
displays will likewise contribute in making a reduction
in fire losses possible. The demolition of ancient
third-class wooden construction in the city should be
accelerated as far as is possible. For some years it
has been noted that the upper stories of five and six
story buildings in certain sections of the city have been
found unprofitable and these buildings have been razed
either completely to provide parking spaces for auto-
mobiles or such buildings have been replaced by modern
two-story structures. This trend will be helpful in
reducing fire losses also.

New hazards are coming onto the horizon through
the development of air-conditioning equipment, new
electrical appliances, and the use of certain chemical
properties in foodstuffs, apothecary supplies, and mis-
cellaneous merchandise for use in the home. The Fire
Department is well acquainted with these through
lectures by recognized authorities in various fields at
the Fire College and by attention to the findings of
various research bodies. Oil-burning equipment for
heating purposes offers a problem which is quite differ-
ent from that offered by the old coal-burning equipment
in various stores and residences. The development
of all of these articles and appliances is consistent with
the trend of modern living. The Fire Department,
however, must be equipped to meet these conditions
and given authority to regulate the conditions sur-
rounding storage and sale of such objects.

Fire Department. 9

Continued attention to fire prevention education is
of the utmost necessity and as far as is possible, under
the limited financial resources of the department or
the legal restrictions on the operations of the depart-
ment, these conditions will be met in the future.

Some significance may be placed upon the fact that
during 1938 there were fewer alarms sounded than in
1937. Nevertheless, the 1938 loss was approximately
the same as in 1937. A substantial increase in the
number of false alarms was noted,* but a solution to
this problem seems to have been found in the installa-
tion of sirens on certain boxes of the city. The invest-
ment of the taxpayers in the past for Fire Department
equipment may be appreciated from the following facts :
Motorized fire fighting apparatus cost over $2,000,000;
hose, extinguishers, and equipment is valued at over
$144,000; uniform service to firemen cost over $76,000
(this figure applies only to uniforms now in use); an
inventory of the stock in the Maintenance Division
shows material on hand valued at over $78,000 based
on cost prices; the value of trucks and machinery in
the Maintenance Division is over $46,000.

We have 52 fire engines in service and 9 in reserve;
48 hose wagons in service and 10 in reserve; 31 ladder
trucks in service with 13 in reserve. In addition, we
have three fireboats, 3 rescue wagons, 3 water towers,
35 chiefs' automobiles, 1 fuel wagon, 14 supply auto-
mobiles, 2 smoke ejectors, 2 portable light plants, and
1 foam wagon. We have 502 short ladders in service
and 303 portable fire extinguishers with approximately
200,000 feet of hose of various sizes, with 20,000 feet in
reserve. There are 49 fire stations in the city exclusive of
the fireboats, high pressure stations and other buildings.

There were 1,012 privates in the department as of
December 31, 1938, distributed among the 31 ladder
companies, 53 engine companies, high pressure stations,
fire alarm station, Maintenance Division and Head-
quarters.

1938 ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
Fire Loss.

The total fire loss for the City of Boston estimated
by the insurance companies amounted to $2,360,552.83.
This total includes marine losses of $132,675. This

* Yet Boston's false alarm record was the best of the large cities in the United States
for 1938.

10 City Document No. 12.

loss is approximately 6 per cent below the total losses
for 1937. The total loss for all land fires is $2,227,887.83.
This amount is $23,521 higher than for the previous
year.

Expenses.

Expenses of the department decreased from the year
1937 by $65,346.92. The total amount expended during
the year 1938 was $4,018,980.62. On page No. 22, a
graph shows the trend of expenses during the past few
years.

Income.

The income for the year showed an increase over the
previous year. Total income from all sources was
$37,252.57 as against $32,219.87 for 1937. The table
on page No. 38 shows the trend of revenue for the past
ten years.

Personnel.

The following changes in personnel of the fire fighting
force occurred during 1938: thirty (30) retirements and
ten (10) deaths. The promotions were: one (1) district
chief, four (4) captains, one (1) first engineer, three
(3) second engineers, one (1) third engineer, one (1)
master and two (2) aides to commissioner. These
promotions were necessary to increase the operating
efficiency of the fire fighting force. There were no
new appointments to the rank of private.

Promotions from the Civil Service list were made
strictly in accordance with the standing of the various
candidates on the lists, as certified by the Civil Service
Commissioner.

A recreational program was commenced in which
approximately one third of the department now partici-
pates.

A physical examination of all men engaged in special
details was held and a special survey was held to deter-
mine latent talent among the various employees of the
department.

Housing.

Four fire houses were abandoned and the Fire
Department garage was razed during the year 1938.
In addition, two stations formerly occupied by double
companies were reduced to single companies, thus
eliminating the need for upkeep on one half of each
double house.

Fire Department. 11

Apparatus.

Apparatus of the department is undergoing a general
rehabilitation by means of a repainting program and
a schedule in operation calling for the installation of
booster brakes on ladder trucks, windshields on all
old apparatus, and the installation of portable lighting
equipment on at least one ladder truck in each district
for aiding in fighting night fires. Additional gas
masks have been purchased for use by members of the
department. The latest type spray nozzles have been
likewise adopted for use at fires and several of the
latest type life nets have been purchased for greater
safety in rescue work.

Fire Prevention.

Highly commended and publicized were the public
exhibitions of ladder, drill and rescue work, which
were held at various sections of the city during the
month of October. Boston was awarded first prize
among the cities of the United States and Canada as
the city showing the greatest improvement in fire
prevention work during the year 1938. This prize is
awarded annually by the National Board of Fire
Underwriters.

In addition to this award, the United States Chamber
of Commerce placed Boston among the honor cities
of the country for its fire department record during
the year 1938. This is the first time in the history of
the city that either of these organizations have so
honored the department.

To make possible these public exhibitions the Main-
tenance Division constructed a forty-six foot portable
drill tower; dismantling, moving and erecting this
tower for each exhibition.

Seasonal fire prevention signs were displayed on
fire houses throughout the year. Thirty-four of the
most prominently located fire stations were designated
for display of these signs. Twenty thousand especially
prepared flyers and folders were distributed in all the
mail of the various departments in the City of Boston
during Fire Prevention Week. Fire prevention mes-
sages were distributed to suburban papers and to various
trade papers throughout the year. Fire prevention
broadcasts were given regularly from the major radio

12 City Document No. 12.

stations of the city. District chiefs visited all the
schools of the city addressing the pupils and conducting
fire drills and home inspection blanks were distributed
to twenty thousand children.

Two twenty-minute fire prevention motion picture
films were furnished to the public schools for showing
in every public school building. Over one hundred
lectures were given to organizations of the city on fire
prevention matters and our regular department
35tm.m. film was shown at each of these lectures.

Church announcements were secured, fireboat dis-
plays, parades, Boy Scout demonstrations, meetings of
watchmen, and various trade associations were con-
ducted this year to a greater extent than ever before
in the history of the city.

During the year 1938, 194,000 inspections were made
by Fire Prevention inspectors, and 36,000 conditions
were corrected. These conditions consisted of minor
hazards, such as accumulated rubbish, obstructed stair-
ways, fire escapes, unlicensed fires in the open, dangerous
storage of materials, etc.

Lectures were given in all the public schools of the
city and home inspection blanks were distributed to the
children. Many radio addresses were made and various
articles written for trade papers dealing with specific
problems in various industries.

Arson Squad.

272 fires were investigated by the Arson Squad
during the year. 4 cases were presented to the District
Attorney and later presented by him to the Grand
Jury with 3 indictments returned. 12 persons were
arrested, suspected of setting fires.

Maintenance Division.

During 1938, 1,233 various jobs were performed at
department buildings by department mechanics at a
cost for material of $992.12. 102 jobs were performed
by outside concerns at a total cost of $1,702.54. Oil
burners in all Fire Department stations were inspected
and repaired as needed during the year and three new
oil burners were installed. Three heaters were salvaged
from abandoned fire houses and placed in other locations.

1,940 repair jobs were performed on various pieces of
furniture throughout the year.

Fire Department. 13

49 pieces of apparatus were completely painted and
lettered at a cost for material of $1,322.89. 200 partial
paint jobs were performed at a cost for material of
$1,685, while 366 miscellaneous small painting jobs
were performed at a cost for material of $1,275. 1,035
fire alarm boxes were painted by Maintenance Division
painters at a cost for material of $121.35.

Motor mechanics gave a general overhaul to 18
pumpers, 13 hose cars, 16 ladder trucks, 1 rescue wagon,
and 1 lighting plant. Repairs on passenger cars and
department trucks were in addition to the above work.
Due to the extreme age of the Fire Department appa-
ratus a considerable amount of repair work is neces-
sary and this amount of work will naturally be increased
as years go on. The total number of repair jobs per-
formed on apparatus by department mechanics was
4,753, at a cost for materials of $4,989.32. The amount
of repair work performed by outside concerns totalled
388 jobs at a cost of $3,233.57. Outside work is done
where proper facilities are not existing at the Mainte-
nance Division Repair Shop; for example, repair of
springs, fenders, carburetors, certain radiator repairs
and replacement of solid tires.

4 passenger cars and 2 small trucks were turned
over to the Co-ordinator of Motor Vehicles for use in
other departments. Engine 41 pump was dismantled
as the result of an accident after usable parts had been
salvaged.

11,849 feet of hose were condemned during the year,
and at the present time we have 189,744 feet of hose in
service with 8,356 feet in reserve.

High Pressure Service.

High Pressure Station 1 responded to 250 alarms of
fire during the year, being in operation approximately
78 hours and 38 minutes. The Venturi meters record
the pumping of 176,000 gallons of water for this period.

High Pressure Station No. 2 responded to 254 alarms
of fire during the year, being in operation approximately
52 hours and 15 minutes. The Venturi meters recorded
the pumping of 151,500 gallons of water for this period.

Fireboats.

Each one of the three fireboats in operation in the
Fire Department was repaired in conformity with the

14 City Document No. 12.

requirements after the annual United States inspection,
and practically all of the repair work was done by the
Maintenance Division. The cost of outside repairs on
these boats would have been approximately ten times
the cost to the department were not the facilities of
the Maintenance Division available for this work.
The probable cost of the work done in a commercial
shipyard on one boat alone would have been $8,129,
according to current prices. Our department performed
the work for approximately $872.51, including labor and
material.

In the National Board of Fire Underwriters' report
No. 158 of December, 1936, there was a recommenda-
tion that early consideration should be given to the
replacement of one of our fireboats which is "old, in
poor condition, and unable to deliver one half of its
capacity." Recommendations concerning this are con-
tained in another part of this report. The fireboat
"Angus J. McDonald" now in service at Engine 31
was built in East Boston in 1895 and is therefore 44
years old. This is the boat to which the National
Board referred.

W. P. A.

Labor Projects.

At an expense of approximately $8,000, 12 labor
projects were conducted under the W. P. A. at the
following locations: Engine 47, Engine 43, Engine 42,
Engine 50, Engine 44, Engine 16, Engine 7, Engine 18,
Engine 34, Fire Alarm Headquarters, Engine 13, Head-
quarters, 60 Bristol street.

This work consisted of miscellaneous repairs to roofs,
walls, shingling, skylights, flashing and ventilators.

Clerical Projects.

A law project employing 3 lawyers and 15 clerks was
inaugurated for the purpose of codifying all laws,
statutes and ordinances relating to the Fire Department.

Another clerical project commenced the work of cross-
indexing fuel oil permits. Five typists and one super-
visor are engaged in this undertaking.

A mapping project was inaugurated, employing 3
supervisors and 80 employees, at the completion of
which the department will have available for each
fire house a map showing the location of buildings in
the region covered by the men quartered at the fire

Fike Department. 15

house. In addition, the location of hydrants, sprinkler
connections, stairways, windows with shutters, fire walls
and other information necessary to proper fire fighting
will be available for use of the Fire Department. This
information will enable a new officer to become familiar
with his district quickly and in the case of a large fire
enable a man on the outside of the fire to "size up" the
condition and to plan operations.

Followed up by personal inspections of the property
these maps will provide the department with equipment
superior to that of any department in the country for the
intelligent fighting of fires and establishment of fire
regulations.

N. Y. A. Projects.

At no expense to the city employment was given
to an average of 25 young men enrolled in the N. Y. A.
by means of which these men were given experience
in office work, in motor vehicle repair and care, in
carpentry, painting, electrical work, and the various
trades connected with the department Maintenance
Division. This department received the benefit of the
services rendered, and the young men thus employed
themselves received a training which qualified them for
private employment as experienced assistants in the
various trades.

1939 OBJECTIVES.

1. Coordination of all educational activities into
one central administration of the Fire College.

2. Organization of the special parade team to appear
with the Fire Department Band and Drill Team in public
processions and exhibitions.

3. Commencement of a program of installation of
two-way radio communication in all chiefs' cars.

4. Commencement of a program placing all over-
head fire alarm wires underground.

5. Establishment of a card index of all addresses
in the City of Boston showing an analysis of the condi-
tion of the premises and a census of the number of
persons housed at each address.

6. Investigation by the Arson Squad of all fires
where the loss exceeds $5,000.

7. Extension of military drill, gymnasium or athletic
activities to every company of the Fire Department.

16 City Document No. 12.

8. Sponsoring of legislation calling for reduction
in the age limit of applicants for positions in the fire
fighting force (based on the findings that the present
average age of privates in this department is forty-
seven).

9. Support of other legislation concerning the use
of fireworks and installation of sprinklers.

10. Reinspection of all old electric wiring work in
the City of Boston.

11. Replacement of heating equipment in ten
stations.

12. Acquisition of one and one half inch hose for
certain locations and uses.

13. Acquisition of new type inhalators and re-
suscitators for use by the Rescue Squad and various
ladder companies.

14. Study of loss ratio to premiums for drive to
obtain lower insurance rates in Boston.

15. Continuation of program inaugurated in 1938
for the rehabilitation of old apparatus; fire prevention
activities, etc.

16. Installation of an enlarged multiple type switch-
board at the Fire Alarm Office in the Fenway.

17. Establishment of an improved system for the
summoning of the off-platoon in case of an emergency,
disaster.

18. Installation of sirens on fire alarm boxes in the
City of Boston to eliminate the increased number of
false alarms.

19. Study of present district lines with possible
reduction in view.

Recommendations.
Housing.

(A.) At the present time High Pressure Station
No. 2 is on rented land, on Atlantic avenue. Engine 8
is on Salem street, in a most congested section, where
the response of the apparatus is seriously impaired by
traffic conditions. It is the Fire Commissioner's recom-
mendation that on Hanover street, on city land, a new
fire station be erected to house Engine 8 and Ladder 1
now located at Bowdoin square. This will give in-
creased protection to the North End and business
district of the city. At the same address it is recom-

Fire Department. 17

mended that the High Pressure Station be established
and transferred from its present Congress street location.
This will make possible a saving of $2,300 a year and
plus the saving effected in twenty years will pay for
the cost of erecting the house on Hanover street.

(B.) Engine 3 and Ladder 3 formerly quartered
at the corner of Harrison avenue and Bristol street has
for a period of almost a year and a half been temporarily
located in a garage at 60 Bristol street. These
temporary accommodations are inadequate and are of
a makeshift nature. A new firehouse should be erected
on city-owned land on Harrison avenue, halfway be-
tween Bristol street and Northampton street. Erec-
tion of this new firehouse would permit the transfer
of Engine 3 and Ladder 3 to the new quarters and make
possible the elimination of Engine 23 now located on
Northampton street. This district is surrounded by
hospitals, rooming houses, schools, and institutions
where fire protection is most necessary, and adoption
of this recommendation is urged immediately.

(C.) A new firehouse, located in West Roxbury,
in the vicinity of Washington and Grove streets, is
necessary due to the increased population in the south
side of the city. A new station in this section will be
sufficient to house equipment that can cover apparatus
responding to alarms in West Roxbury, Hyde Park,
Mattapan, and the Franklin Park section of Roxbury
and Dorchester, as well as the Forest Hills and Jamaica
Plain sections. In spite of the increased population
of West Roxbury, Hyde Park and Dorchester during
the last 25 years no additional Fire Department facilities
have been established in these sections.

(D.) A two-story addition is recommended to con-
nect the present Maintenance Building and Head-
quarters Building on Bristol street. Construction of
this building will replace the garage which was razed
during 1938 and permit the removal of the Fire Alarm
Repair Shop from a building which will soon be con-
demned by the Building Commissioner according to
present indications. This addition will permit of the
consolidation of all maintenance activities under one
roof and unless this addition is authorized within two
years the department will have to rent space for the
storage of cars and the operations of the Fire Alarm
Repair Division. As an alternative to this the fire-

18 City Document No. 12.

houses abandoned during 1938 might be restored to
the department by use as department garages.

(E.) In view of the fact that one of the fireboats
now in service is over 40 years old, plans should be
prepared for the replacement of a fireboat in the near
future. Future boats should be Diesel operated. Use
of Diesel motors in the fireboats would eliminate, prac-
tically, the expense now borne by the city for fuel
during the hours when the fireboats are not in actual
operation at fires. Some one of our three fireboats is
out of service for repairs during 6 months of the year.
With Diesel motors this lost time would not be neces-
sary and it is thus possible that two Diesel-operated
boats might do the work of the present three oil and
coal burning boats, at a tremendous saving in expense.
The number of boats to be used in the future depends
upon the future business in the harbor. At the present
time the possibility of an oil fire flowing down from the
Chelsea creek and the present condition of waterfront
property and wharves militates against any reduction in
marine equipment.

High Pressure Service.

The development of the Copley square section of
the city and the proposed new construction planned
by the neighborhood, makes obvious the need for
extending the High Pressure Service to Copley square.
At the present time this service ends at Church street,
adjoining the Public Garden on the Park square side.

Personnel.

During the year 1939 it is recommended that because
of the reduced quota and the high average age of privates
in the department, that no further reduction in man-
power be permitted. Until the average age of fire
fighters is lowered at least one replacement for every
two men retiring should be made. In later years when
members of the contributory pension system commence
to take advantage of that plan the city will be saved
the expense of the present old pension system and men
will be induced to retire at an earlier age. At the present
time, however, because of the high average age of
privates it is necessary to consider the condition of the
men on duty as well as the number of men on duty.

Fire Department. 19

Fire Prevention.

(A). Establishment of a chemical research laboratory
at headquarters for use by the Arson Squad in analyzing
the causes of fires at various addresses to enable the
department to keep pace with the present trend towards
scientific methods of fire analysis and fire prevention.
Fire prevention inspectors would be aided in making
industrial inspections by access to such a laboratory;
the relative merits of various extinguishing agents
could be quickly determined and by specializing in the
subject of chemistry in fire, Boston would be taking a
lead in an essential activity just as it did when it
installed the first electric fire alarm system years ago
and commenced to convert its radio system into two-
way communication in the latter part of 1938. Men
are now in the department and coming into the depart-
ment with education in chemistry.

(B.) It is recommended that the Building Commis-
sioner be provided with sufficient funds to raze all
third-class buildings in the City of Boston which are
abandoned, unoccupied for a period of over a year,
or unsafe for occupancy. Such buildings are unsightly.
They give cause for reduction of assessed valuations of
neighboring pieces of property and they are fire hazards.
The Fire Department at the present time has a list of
such buildings.

(C.) It is recommended that legislation be peti-
tioned for the right to order installation of sprinklers
wherever cost will not exceed 5 per cent of value of
land occupied by a building. The present law permits
orders where cost does not exceed 5 per cent of land
and buildings.

(D.) It is recommended that legislation be peti-
tioned for the prohibition of the sale of fireworks except
for supervised displays, thus eliminating the present
hazards of small fireworks in hands of children or
adults.

FIRE ALARM DIVISION.

During the hurricane in September a great many fire
alarm circuits went out of service because of damage
from the storm. Therefore, during the year 1939 it is
recommended that a section of overhead wires of our

20 City Document No. 12.

Fire Alarm System be placed underground and that
each year henceforth additional sections be placed
underground.

A survey should be made for the purpose of devising
ways and means of reducing the present load on the
telephone switchboard at Fire Alarm Headquarters.

Preparations should be made for the transmission
and reception of two-way radio messages between fire-
boats, chiefs' cars and Fire Alarm Headquarters.

STATISTICS.

(21)

22

City Document No. 12.

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(23)

(24)

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27

TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRE ALARMS.

(To which Apparatus Responded.)

1936.

1937.

1938.

First alarms

Automatic alarms

A. D. T. alarms

5,239

4,069

117

68

5,520

4,154

3

1

5,368

4,130

1

4

Totals

9,493

9,678

9,503

False alarms

Accidental alarms

Needless alarms

Multiple alarm fires:

Two alarms

Three alarms

Four alarms

Five alarms

1,369
245
666

54

12

4

3

service .

1,442

247
583

54

16

5

1

1,658
262
699

42
8
5
0

Total number of fire alarm boxes in

1,708

Fire-resistive
Second class
Frame .
Other types

Total .

ANALYSIS OF FIRES IN BUILDINGS.
Construction of Buildings.

Point of Origin,

Basement .
First floor .
Second floor
Third floor .
Above third floor
Roof .
Outside

Total .

Extent of Fire.

Confined to point of origin

Confined to buildings ....

Spread to other buildings

156
1,774
1,527

3,465

1,107
996
448
291
147
76
400

3,465

2,857

547

61

Total

3,465

CAU5E5 OF FIRES IN BUILDINGS

CARELESS SMOKING 1,000

ECTIVE,SOQT&SPARKS 5 IS

OIL BURNERS 352

ELEC. APPLIANCES 6c MOTORS 208

DREN AND MATCHES I 98

I 7 I
\NEOUS KNOWN CAUSES I 7D
HEATERS &RUBBI5H 15 1
US IGNITION I 37

LAMABLE LIQUIDS I 2D

OTHER CARELESS USEOF MATCHES I I I

3

f

DEFECTIVE WIRING

INCENDIARY OR SUSPICIOUS

HOT ASHES

CITY GAS AND APPLIANCES

CLOTHES TOO NEAR FIRE

FIREWORKS

SPARKS FROM MACHINES
THAWING WATER PIPES

93
6 I

54
30

29
25

22
15

1933 TOTAL 3,455

(28)

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CAUSES OF OUTDOOR FIRES

BRUSH

8-4 1

AUTOMOBILE

73*

OTHER OUTDOOR FIRES

soy

RUBBISH (VACANT LOT)

37 1

RUBBISH (NEAR BUILDING)

1 7 1

DUMP

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MARINE

72
24

1938 TOTAL 2820

2

RESCUES (EMERGENCY CALLS) 538
OUT OF CITY CALLS 61

(29)

REGU

LAR ALARMS FDR PA51

" 0 YEARS

NUMBER

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(30)

Fire Department.

31

SUMMARY— SERVICE REPORTS, 1938, ENGINE COMPANIES.

Unit.

Alarms
Attended.

Working
Fires.

424

131

204

83

530

175

526

176

365

140

425

179

355

165

367

222

352

132

370

128

207

111

742

216

876

253

889

193

552

138

365

148

537

158

472

195

474

246

346

138

613

227

707

273

841

193

676

250

316

160

549

123

219

102

415

121

372

143

233

148

120

10

213

109

464

240

301

107

461

128

239

122

Hose
Used,
Feet.

Hours
Work.

Pump
Hours.

Engine 1.
Engine 2.
Engine 3 .
Engine 4.
Engine 5.
Engine 6 .
Engine 7.
Engine 8.
Engine 9 .
Engine 10
Engine 11
Engine 12
Engine 13
Engine 14
Engine 15
Engine 16
Engine 17
Engine 18
Engine 19
Engine 20
Engine 21
Engine 22
Engine 23
Engine 24
Engine 25
Engine 26
Engine 27
Engine 28
Engine 29
Engine 30
Engine 31
Engine 32
Engine 33
Engine 34
Engine 35
Engine 36

34,800
20,950
44,950
39,650
58,100
26,325
36,600
45,650
30,900
30,950
29,450
51,450
50,200
28,450
41,500
31,200
25,250
24,300
42,200
37,300
37,250
89,550
46,950
62,750
24,950
30,000
18,200
23,550
18,250
37,150
1,850
17,950
43,400
22,200
22,000
25,650

47.22
35.27

206.53
71.24
68.20
99.15
76.00

155.20
70.20
82.48
54.10
82.29

104.26
54.52
58.50
54.54
55.40

118.45
79.00
69.38

122.51

104.26
75.33
78.17
75.16
63.30
73.30
39.70
68.60
64.24
14.45
33.00
94.00
62.58
86.00
49.27

3.00

2.53

15.00

3.80

38.15

10.18

9.00

27.30

30.55

25.00

35.28

13.37

63.17

16.32

3.19

5.39

8.59

21.16

8.35

13.13

30.27

18.00

11.31

5.41

0.40

21.50

13.12

8.10

6.54

12.35

10.45

8.00

47.00

6.51

19.00

10.43

32

City Document No. 12.

Summary — Service Reports, 1938, Engine Companies. -

Concluded.

Unit.

Alarms
Attended.

Working
Fires.

Hose

Used,
Feet.

Hours
Work.

Pump
Hours.

Eng
Eng:
Eng:
Eng
Eng:
Eng:
Eng:
Eng
Eng
Eng:
Eng
Eng
Eng
Eng:
Eng:
Eng
Eng:

ne 37
ne38
ne39
ne40
ne 41
ne42
ne43
ne 44
ne 45
ne 46
ne 47
ne 48
ne49
ne50
ne 51
ne 52
ne 53

522
233
270
215
392
614
533
132
301
546
150
278
168
470
184
431
330

266
156
180
122
196
191
114

32
118
131

13
147

75
160

79
192
107

46,100
20,700
21,050
24,550
30,600
45,650
27,700

3,950
25,600
26,700

6,300
37,380
20,650
44,600
17,600
32,000
21,000

92.41
102.57
91.42
64.00
90.45
71.21
45.47
26.19
65.31
145.37
60.25
50.40
85.14
101.35
40.55
63.41
31.32

21.55
34.00
30.00
15.00

8.40
42.80

6.55
14.00
31.56

6.58
48.45
17.25
49.23

9.33

2.16
16.32

8.25

Fire Department.

33

SUMMARY — SERVICE REPORTS, 1938, LADDER COMPANIES.

Unit.

Alarms
Attended.

Working
Fires.

Ladders Used,
Feet.

Hours
Work.

476
295
499
935
464
419
664
458
299
423
414
855
710
443
416
407
537
202
179
580
178
301
745
456
228
455
403
298
510
615
348

231
183
200
263
136
136
253
225
157
92
148
271
355
206
265
169
158
128
114
163
110
130
270
266
143
197
134
121
203
177
191

8,722
4,195
4,656
5,268
2,105

534*
1,702
6,526
1,740
1,413
2,437
5,777
12,894
2,832
9,225

689*
5,837
3,296
1,037
1,745

287
1,317
3,667
7,792

578*
4,206*

781*

875*
1,976*
1,715
1,929

126.13

36.50

226.43

91.53

47.40

47.37

84.40

190.10

91.13

35.30

73.55

Ladder 12

102.26

108.44

109.13

109.54

64.51

93.13

70.49

Ladder 19

40.00

Ladder 20

77.80

46.50

Ladder 22

66.00

Ladder 23

98.54

127.33

49.48

71.20

111.30

Ladder 28

51.00

Ladder 29

59.50

Ladder 30

50.16

74.28

* Also used hose.

34

City Document No. 12.

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35

ARSON SQUAD ACTIVITIES.
Personnel: 6 Fire Prevention Inspectors; 2 Police Inspectors.

1938.

1937.

1936.

I93S.

1934.

Number of investigations:

Number of suspicious fires

40

44

64

48

73

Fires reported, cause undetermined

206

103

128

78

198

Others

26

94

72

182

33

Totals

273

241

264

308

304

Hearings held

17

13

14

22

27

Persons interviewed

18

24

43

28

37

4

7

7

13

16

3
1
5

3
4
4

3

7
3

12
6
6

10

Trials

16

7

0

2

4

3

14

5

4

2

12

9

12

8

9

24

23

(January to June.)

SUMMARY OF DEPARTMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES —

1938.

Fire College:

Capt. John J. Crehan, Drill Master
Number of sessions
Number of lectures
Number of lectures each session
Attendance:

All sessions

Total department members

Total outside department

Total officers

Total privates

2

54
27

85
81
4
42
39

Drill School:
Lieut. F. A. Nicholson, Drill Master.

Number of company drills (supervised by officers) . 104

Number supervised by Drill Master .... 55

Number of new men drilled 18

Number of public exhibitions ...... 10

36

City Document No. 12.

Pump School:
James W. Ryan, Engineer of Motor Apparatus.
Number of classes conducted

Certificates issued

Total attendance

4
26
26

Chauffeurs School:

James W. Ryan, Engineer of Motor Apparatus.
New chauffeurs granted licenses
Licenses renewed

Telegraphers School:

James J. Callahan, Instructor.

New men certified

Total new men trained ....

28
1,247

21
30

COMPARATIVE FIGURES — MAN POWER.

Year.

Total Fire

Fighting

Force.

Total
Number of
Privates.*

Total
Number of
Lieuten-
ants.

Total
Number of
Captains.

1934

1,403
1,367
1,339
1,409
1,371 »

1,050
1,023
990
1,043
1,0212

108
104
102
115
106 3

75

1935

1936.. .

72
74

1937

1938

79
77 <

* As of December 31.

Average age (1938): * Entire force, 46 years; 2 privates, 45 years; 3 lieutenants, 49
years; 4 captains, 54 years.

DONATIONS TO WORTHY CAUSES BY MEMBERS OF
BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT DURING YEAR 1938.

1938 Community Fund
Salvation Army .
American Red Cross .
Mayor's Field Day
President's Birthday Ball

$9,595 04

381 25

650 00

2,688 00

1,464 00

Total

1,778 29

Fire Department.

37

MOTORIZED APPARATUS — SUMMARY OF PURCHASES.

Yeah.

Number of
Units Bought.

Net Cost.

1911

1
1

6

18

13

10

25
None.

19 *

14 2
9

10

24
63

11

20

11

13

12

14

14

3

None.

None.

None.

4
None.
None.

$5,500

5,500

33,400

105,997

73,063

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

50,750
121,970

1917

1918

1919

1920

220,706
135,317
103,900
122,780
261,908
73,204
124,930
223,463
112,154

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

160,567
134,105
138,243
122,587

1929

1930

1931

1932

41,467

1933

1934

1935

1936

57,500

1937

1938

—

Total . . >

258

$2,429,011

1 2 pieces still in service. (20 years.)

2 6 pieces still in service.

3 35 pieces still in service bought previous to 1924, not including an equal number now
held in reserve.

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Fire Department.

41

SECTION II— THE WIRE DIVISION.

Mr. Bernard B. Whelan, Interior Inspector, was
promoted to Superintendent to take effect October
26, 1938.

Regular inspections of electrical installations in
theatres, places of amusement and public halls were
made during the year, together with inspections of new
and old installations and changes in electrical work
throughout the city, and thorough investigations were
made of all fires and accidents reported as due to
electrical causes, and reports of the same are on file
in this Division.

During the year there were 129
reported as due to electrical causes, 5
8 pole troubles, 11 miscellaneous
accidents, none of which was fatal.

The annual underground district was prescribed in
accordance with chapter 110 of the Acts of 1936.

The income received from permits to perform electrical
work was $37,910.15.

Following is a summary of the work of the Interior
Division of the Wire Division for the year 1938:

fires in buildings
manhole troubles,
troubles and 10

Notices of new work received
Number of permits issued to turn on current
Number of incandescent lamps inspected
Number of motors inspected
Total horsepower of motors inspected
Number of arcs inspected .
Number of inspections made
Number of inspections made of theatres, places of
amusement and public halls ....

12,322
10,646
2,127,148
16,401
58,504
2,526
34,836

1,540

Exterior Division.

The underground district for the year 1938, as
prescribed under authority of chapter 110 of the Acts
of 1936, comprised the following streets:

Roxbury District. — Vale street, from Thornton street to
Marcella street.

Dorchester District. — Gallivan Boulevard, from Neponset
avenue to Hallet street; Minot street, from Neponset avenne
to Carruth street.

42 City Document No. 12.

South Boston District. — M street, from East Broadway to
East First street; Hamlin street, from East Ninth street to
East Eighth street; Douglas street, from East Ninth street
to East Eighth street; Vinton street, from Dorchester street
to Preble street; Tuckerman street, from Middle street to
Dorchester street; Middle street, from Dorchester street to
Dorchester avenue; Ward street, from Dorchester street to
Preble street; Rogers street, from Dorchester street to Preble
street; East Seventh street, from G street to Farragut road;
Springer street, from East Seventh street to East Eighth
street; Columbia road, from G street to I street; Dorchester
street, from East Broadway to East First street; Emerson
street, from East Third street to East Broadway; East Third
street, from Dorchester street to M street; Preble street,
from Dorchester avenue to Old Colony avenue; Hardy street,
from East Eighth street to Marine road; Mohawk street,
from Preble street to Gen. William H. Devine way.

Making a total distance of four miles as prescribed by
law.

In these prescribed streets from which poles and
overhead wires were to be removed there was standing
on January 1, 1939, 210 poles and 284,120 linear feet
of wire.

In side or residential streets, special underground
construction for light and power purposes (115-230
volts) of the type known as " Split Fibre Solid Main
System/' has also been installed.

The ducts used for underground conduits of the
drawing-in system are of the following types:

1. Vitrified clay (laid in concrete).

2. Fibre (laid in concrete).

3. Wood.

4. Iron. •

During the past year the inspectors of this division
have reported 79 poles decayed at base, and 17 poles
leaning or a total of 96 poles which were replaced or
reset by the various companies.

The Boston Elevated Railway Company removed
81 iron poles.

Also, 125 accident reports received and investigated,
consisting of reports on poles knocked down, manhole
explosions, gas in manholes, and fires in manholes,
also wires broken by wind and trees falling, and burn-
outs on transformers.

Fire Department.

43

The following table shows the overhead work for
the year of 1938, from January 1, 1938, to December
31, 1938, inclusive:

Number of new poles set in locations

Number of poles removed

Number of poles replaced, reset, or straightened
Number of poles standing in public streets
Number of defects reported ....
Number of defects corrected ....

(Other defects in process of correction.)
Number of notices of overhead construction
Number of overhead inspections
Number of overhead reports ....
Amount of overhead wires removed by various

companies

Number of underground electrical approvals .
Number of inspections of underground construction,

19

29

528

17,023

503

263

2,964
10,718
14,996

255,582
1,712
4,614

TABLE SHOWING UNDERGROUND WORK FOR 1938.

Company.

!3
-3

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pany.

Boston Edison Company

203

53,027
3,000

414

3,026
60

203

120,381
24,472

414

3,348

60

12,856

297,854
18,205

112
11

5

778

4

Department).

8
1

19

graph Company.

Police Signal Service (Boston
Police Department).

Western Union Telegraph Com-

7,672
1,856

4

pany.

59,730

148,878

338,443

132

810

44

City Document No. 12.

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Fire Department.

45

INDEX

Accomplishments ....
Alarms :

Comparative Chart

False — Accidental and Needless

Summary for 1938

Apparatus

Arson Squad

Chiefs of Department (1826-1938)
Department Officials
Donations to Worthy Causes
Educational Activities :

Chauffeur School .

Drill School .

Fire College .

Pump School .

Telegrapher School
Equipment
Finances :

Expenditures .

Revenue .
Fire Alarm Division
Fireboats

Fire Commissioners (1874-1938)
Fire Loss:

Classified

Comparative .

Summary
Fire Prevention
Fires :

Buildings (analysis of) .

Causes :

Buildings
Outdoor .

Extent . . .

Origin ....

PAGE

9-15

30

27,30

39

11,37

12,35

2

3

36

36
35
35
36
36
24

10, 22

10, 38

19, 27, 30, 39

13, 14, 17, 18

2

25

26
. 9, 10
, 9, 11, 12, 18, 19, 34

27

28
29

27
27

46

City Document No. 12.

General Statement

High Pressure

Honor Medals

Hose

Housing ....

"IN MEMORIAM" .

Maintenance Division .

National Youth Administration

Objectives — 1939

Personnel ....

Recommendations

Service Reports:

Engine Companies
Ladder Companies

Stock (Maintenance Division)

Wire Division:

Exterior inspections
Income — permits
Interior inspections
Underground work

W. P. A. . .

10, 11
12, 13

9, 10

PAGE

7-9

13,

18

4

9

,16,

17

5

,23,

24

15

15,

16

,18,

36

. 16-

-19

. 31,

32

33

23

43

41

41

. 41

-43

. 14

15

CITY OF BOSTON PRINTING DEPARTMENT

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