Published: October 09, 2009 09:34 am      

Visiting chiefs admire Clinton’s new equipment

This article is part of a series looking back on the past in the Gateway area. This story was printed on Oct. 10, 1939.



Visiting fire department officials from Iowa and Illinois towns in this section today were guests of Clinton’s fire department at Central station. They inspected and admired the department’s up-to-minute fire fighting equipment and sounded praise for Clinton’s city officials their foresight and acumen in providing the department with equipment which is second to none anywhere in the United States.

They were shown the new American-La France No. 1 engine pumper, purchased last summer at a cost of $14,107.50 and the more recently delivered Seagrave aerial hook and ladder truck and its multiple auxiliary mechanical and hand equipment designed to “fill the bill” in any emergency and purchased at a cost of $16,240.25 plus $1,684.19 for accessories.

None better

Fireman say the Seagrave outfit today is superior even to the equipment in the Chicago department for its 85-foot aerial ladder of durable steel, double strength, light-weight and sturdy, is raised by hydraulic motor power rather than the slower method of hand-cranking.

Visiting fire chiefs were prodigal in voicing praise and admiration for the two new units; not only that, but many of them frankly expressed themselves as being more than little bit covetous of the department’s handsome new machines which are the last word in fire fighting apparatus.

Aerial is raised

The long, silver tapering aerial ladder was elevated this afternoon in an exhibition witnessed by the firemen’s guests. As its successive section went towering skyward a line of hose attached to the top extension was elevated with the ladder. Its performance in the

Total cost

Approximately $74,922.94 has been expended in the last several years by the city of Clinton to finance modernization of its fire department including the new Central station building, installation in the new building of the fire alarm system, new motor rigs and incidental equipment, it is shown in figures obtained today in the office of City Auditor H. W. Cowles in the city hall

Following are some of the individual items of expense included in the figure:

New Central fire station — Approximately $38,000.

New chief’s car — $1,891. (Including accessories and paint job.)

New No. 1 company fire engine and pumper — $14,107.50.

New aerial hook and ladder truck — $16,240.25.

New accessories — $1,684.19.

Contingency of a fire at upper heights was easily demonstrated. Operated with ease and speed by one man, this aerial ladder can be maneuvered into almost any position for effectual fire fighting, for rescue of trapped persons and for a hundred and one other purposes.

Old one handicap

Firemen point out that placement of the former wooden ladders provided with the old hook and ladder truck took no less than six men. With limited man power and in the emergency of a major conflagration the handicap of this kind of equipment is most obvious, it was declared.

The firemen are proud of their new rigs and know now that nothing has been neglected by the city council in giving them modern and A-No. 1 equipment with which to fight fires in Clinton.

To the last man they give a lot of credit to Councilman Frank Harvey, Second ward, chairman of the fire and water committee, who sponsored and led the movement to improve and modernize department equipment. Likewise they give credit in general to Mayor R. N. Howes, Sr., and other members of the administration who backed Harvey up in supporting the equipment program.

See value

Civilians joined the party Tuesday and citizens in large numbers expressed satisfaction and relief that the department now is equipped 100 per cent to go up against even a major conflagration of the gravest proportions.

During the afternoon and evening firemen were hosts to their guests at refreshments, including a snack of cold edibles served in German hall.

Firemen were sort of on parade and their company manners were at their best.

It was a day marking a new epoch in the history of Clinton’s fire department and one which will be remembered.

See newest station

Many of the visitors from other cities saw for the first time the new modern and roomy Central station building, its light and airy dormitories, its spacious first-floor equipment sections and all of the numerous modern conveniences designed to make it ideal for housing No. 1 and hook and ladder companies of the department. Compliments on this building which is comparatively new likewise were heard on all sides.

Other new equipment viewed and inspected by the visitors today included the new chief’s car purchased last summer and the following other auxiliary equipment, all of which contribute to building up fire department efficiency in emergencies: one 1,250-watt flood lighting motor for generating electricity for flood lights; two 500-watt flood lights and bulbs; one 250-watt flood light and bulbs; two 100-feet lengths of flood light cables, a chromium multiversal nozzle (may be set in any given location and operated unattended), one Junior multiversal nozzle, one Foamite powder, six salvage covers, one wire cutter, one hose hoist, one hose jacket for two and one-half –inch hose (applicable with leaky or ill-fitting connections and hose.

Station apparatus

In addition to the above installed Central station equipment, all comparatively new and of the latest type available, are the fire alarm repeater system and switch-board.

The Central station’s old 1,000-gallon engine pumper has been transferred to No. 4 station where it replaces an older engine now kept in Central station. The old hook and ladder outfit is being retained at Central station to be used for auxiliary purposes, Fire Chief Krenz said today.

Beginning with the winter season Chief Krenz intends to renew operation of the old regular No. 2 company out of Central station. This company was absorbed by other stations when the city vacated its No. 2 station, Tenth Avenue and South Third street, several years ago for purposes of economy.

Chief Krenz pointed out today the second company can function just as efficiently out of Central station which is essentially in the same district as old No. 2 station.

Other incidental equipment furnished with the new machines includes the following in addition to the aerial extension ladder which rises to a heighth of 85 feet; Ladders of the following lengths – on 12 feet, two 16 feet, one 20 feet, one 24 feet, one 50 feet, one 35 feet and one 28 feet; four hand axes, two pick-axes, two sledges, one batter-ram, two crow-bars, one roof cutter, four pike poles.