Annual Fire Department Report

ANNUAL REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1930. –

            +During the year the department has responded to forty alarms, as follows:

Defective or overheated stoves and chimneys……………        10

Defective electric wiring……………………………………..         2

Smoking in bed…………………….………………………….        1

Roof fires……………………………………………………….        4

Grass fires on vacant property……………………………….        5

Unattended rubbish fires burning building………………...       1

Hot ashes placed against buildings and fences…………….      6

Careless handling of cigarettes, cigars and matches……….       2

Children playing with matches………………………………       1

Spontaneous combustion……………………………………...      1

Locomotive fire on right-of-way………………………………     1

Grease fire………………………………………………………..     1

Careless handling of gasoline………………………………….     3

Drilling holes in wall with hot iron bar……………………….     1

False alarm.………………………………………………………     1

Total………………………………………………………………   40

            Five alarms were received to property outside the city limits, the loss or damage not being investigated by this department, this service costing the city $110.00.

            The value of property at risk at fires attended where loss resulted amounted to about……………………………………………      $120,650.00

Insurance in force on same…………………………………..       $  47,600.00

Total fire loss for the year……………………………………       $    4,936.00

as against $525.00 for 1929, $4480.00 for 1928, and $2122.00 for 1927.  Loss per capita for 1930 being $1.35 against 15c for 1929 and $1.28 for 1928.

            No major fires occurred during the year, all fires having been confined to their origin.  All hydrants in the city and Slaterville were inspected regularly, those in the business section every day and those in the residential section at least once each week or oftener.

            During the extreme cold weather early in the year a patrol was maintained by the department in the downtown section as an extra precaution against fire.

            All new buildings and alterations completed or under construction have been inspected relative to my duties under the Building By-Law.  Regular inspection of public buildings, theatres and places of amusement has been maintained throughout the year.  Verbal or written orders were issued wherever necessary.

            All hose on hand was tested during the year to 300 pounds pressure, there being 300 feet discarded as unfit for service.

            One hundred and fifteen gallons of gas and eight gallons of oil were used during the year, this amount including the change from summer to winter oil.  All truck motors were turned over twice each day and tested out once each week.

            Would draw to your attention recent instructions issued by the British Columbia Fire Marshall taking away inspections and matter pertaining to fire protection of the St. Eugene Hospital, and handing same over to the Provincial Police.

            It is not a question of wishing to carry on this matter, but one of vital importance to the hospital, as should an outbreak of fire occur there we would of course be called and being unfamiliar with conditions or any alterations that may have been carried out it might be disastrous.  Fire drills have been held regularly in the schools controlled by the Cranbrook school board.

            Three demolition orders were issued for unsafe property.

            The water pressure gauge in the Fire Hall has been read several times each day and since the extra supply of water from Gold Creek came in has stood steady at 112 pounds.

            All fire alarm stations and escapes in hotels have been inspected and tested every two weeks, same always being in working condition.

Sanitation

            Under sanitation I have to report all kitchen refuse from hotels and restaurants having been taken away under contract, and has worked out very well indeed.  All containers are kept under cover and are always salted after being emptied.

            Two cases of over crowding and one of unsanitary conditions were taken to  court, the result being each offender paid a nominal fine.

            Both of the slaughter houses adjacent to the city were inspected each month, as well as all meat markets doing business in the city.

            In conclusion I wish to thank Your Worship and members of the council for the interest taken in the fire department, and for the courtesy always shown us, also appreciation to the local office of the B.C. Telephone Lines for the efficient manner in which they handled the fire alarms, as well as the kind consideration of the local press.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    PERCY ADAMS,

                                                                                                            Fire Chief