1929-01-07-STM-MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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226 DISCUSSION p It is a matter of keen regret that the cost of printing the reports of the New England Insurance Exchange , Chief Walsh , Metcalf 8I Eddy and other date is so great that we did not feel warranted in incurring that expense . Consequently we will file these papers on which our conclusions have been based with the Town Clerk , - those wishing more detailed information than contained herein are re . 2ectfully referred to them . Extracts from the foregoing reports are quoted herein . Schedules are attached hereto showing an analysis of our fire department comparisons with other municipalities , copies of delegation of power by the State Fire Marshal to the Chief of the Lexington ` Dire Department and Sec . 4? , 4Z and 44 of Chapter 48 of the General Laws , etc . In all of the municipalities which the Committee visited , with the exception of Amesbury , the department is super - vised by either a permanent or a permanent deputy chief . The general appearance of these buildings is *ost excellent . To be sure while most of . them are new , the neatness , cleanliness , orderliness and discipline are in strong con- trast to ours . tine did not have an opportunity in our visits to witness any fire drills , so we could not compare their efficiency in this respect with our own . For this we feel justified in depending upon the reports of the New England Insurance Exchange and thr . Walsh . In this connection Mr . Walsh says in part : - " I think it would be sufficient to say without going into detail that the whole department gave an exhibition of its ability in handling the equipment at which a grave lack of training was demonstr^ ted . This situation can be easily remedied by sending men to the Boston Drill School . A request to the fire commissioner would probably result favorably . " There appear to be no permanent rules and regulations to govern the conduct of the members either in quarters or at fires . r= code of rules in very desirable towards promoting pfficiency . " A call captain is in charge of the ladder company . Like the case of the call deputy chief , ( mentioned in the full report to be filed in the Town clerk ' s Office) this is all wrong . n permanent officer should have charge of this mort important company and in the absence of an officer a permanent private should be placed in charge . (Mr . Walsh feels that a permanent private should have by training and experience greater ability to fight fires that a call officer ; if this is not so it should be so , parti - cularly if the men had proper training . ) " That as often as the strength of the department will permit a permanent officer or private be detailed to inspect manufacturing and mercantile buildings , schools , churches , garages , etc . , for the purpose of fire prevention . " The Chief being a Call Chief cannot measure up to the permanent chief because other business will not permit him to keep in touch with all the doings of the department . " The Fire Chief who has no business to perform daily other than looking after his men , apparatus and equipment , both in quarters and at firer , is without doubt better qualified to render a good account of himself in times of emergencies . This is true no matter how well intentioned the call chief may be .