Report on Superior Fire Department.

The fire department of Superior, Wis., whose chief is Olaf Johnson, has been duly investigated by the National Board of Underwriters and is given great credit, so far as it goes. The report, however, considers it deficient in the number of men as well as in equipment. It says that the department is under a capable and experienced chief appointed for an indefinite term, and adds that in George Colon he has an able assistant. The financial support is inadequate, and, although the methods of appointment and promotion are good, yet no age limit is set for retirement. The number of land companies is sufficient, but there are too few men for proper maintenance. The distribution is good. Two of the engines are in excellent condition. The La France engine is in need of overhauling and is eqttiped with a poor type of boiler. The combination ladder truck and the aerial ladder truck are satisfactory; but the ladder service is slightly insufficient, owing to the lack of short ladders on hose wagons. The village trucks are in fair condition and suitable for use in their districts. The hose wagons are in excellent condition; but an insufficient number are eqttiped with chemical tanks. The quality of fuel is satisfactory and the method of storing is excellent. With the addition of the authorised fuel-wagon, the method of handling will he satisfactory. The authorised purchase of hose will make the total amount sufficient. The condition and care of hose and the methods of testing are satisfactory; but the couplings will not fit hose in engines of some of the nearby cities. The department repair shop is adequate for ordinary repairs. The discipline is good, and so are the drills, and the engineers and stokers are well trained. Only one engine is not attached to a heater while in quarters. The response to alarms is good; the fire methods are good, and Deluge sets are used to advantage. The building inspection by the fire department is fair, but not frequent enough; the records are good and well kept. Recent improvements have strengthened the department; but it is still deficient in the number of men and in the amount of apparatus protecting the waterfront. The water company comes in for a criticism on its pumping station. The report says that the pumping capacity is inadequate and will be so. even when the pump contracted for is added. The force-main is reported as unexposed ; but it is a single line and a break in it would put the entire system out of commission, The street mains are reported as inadequate for fire protection when the ordinary consumption of water becomes abnormal. The pressures are satisfactory, but could not be well maintained during a heavy fire-draught, owing to the small pumping capacity and inadequate size of the main arteries. As to the building laws: The report says there is no building department and the building laws are of little value from a fire-protective standpoint. They give opportunity for several severe criticisms. The laws governing the storage and handling of inflammable materials are pronounced inadequate. The need of adequate laws, rigidly enforced, is said to be apparent. The apparatus in use is as follows: Hose wagons (each 2horsed), five; 2-horse Holloway double 50-gal. chemical engine; first-size Ameriean-La France, extra-first-size Continental and extra-second-size Ahrens engine (each 3-horsed); 70-ft. aerial truck (3-horsed) ; combination chemical and hose wagon; combination chemical and hook and ladder truck (2-horsed) ; hook and ladder truck for winter use; village trucks, two; supply wagons, seven; hand-hose carts at Itasca, two; hand engine and hose cart at Allouez; portable chemical extinguishers, sixteen. The department is composed of forty-four paid men and fifty-five volunteers and seven fire-houses—one at Itasca and one at Allouez for volunteer firemen. Of 2j/$-in. hose there are 12,000 ft.; of i-in. chemical, 650 ft.; 1,500 ft. of 2j4-in. were needed at last report. Twenty-four horses are in regular service. The fire-alarm system (Gamewell) at last report required to be rebuilt in great part and two additional boxes were needed.

The fire department of Superior, Wis., whose chief is Olaf Johnson, has been duly investigated by the National Board of Underwriters and is given great credit, so far as it goes. The report, however, considers it deficient in the number of men as well as in equipment. It says that the department is under a capable and experienced chief appointed for an indefinite term, and adds that in George Colon he has an able assistant. The financial support is inadequate, and, although the methods of appointment and promotion are good, yet no age limit is set for retirement. The number of land companies is sufficient, but there are too few men for proper maintenance. The distribution is good. Two of the engines are in excellent condition. The La France engine is in need of overhauling and is eqttiped with a poor type of boiler. The combination ladder truck and the aerial ladder truck are satisfactory; but the ladder service is slightly insufficient, owing to the lack of short ladders on hose wagons. The village trucks are in fair condition and suitable for use in their districts. The hose wagons are in excellent condition; but an insufficient number are eqttiped with chemical tanks. The quality of fuel is satisfactory and the method of storing is excellent. With the addition of the authorised fuel-wagon, the method of handling will he satisfactory. The authorised purchase of hose will make the total amount sufficient. The condition and care of hose and the methods of testing are satisfactory; but the couplings will not fit hose in engines of some of the nearby cities. The department repair shop is adequate for ordinary repairs. The discipline is good, and so are the drills, and the engineers and stokers are well trained. Only one engine is not attached to a heater while in quarters. The response to alarms is good; the fire methods are good, and Deluge sets are used to advantage. The building inspection by the fire department is fair, but not frequent enough; the records are good and well kept. Recent improvements have strengthened the department; but it is still deficient in the number of men and in the amount of apparatus protecting the waterfront. The water company comes in for a criticism on its pumping station. The report says that the pumping capacity is inadequate and will be so. even when the pump contracted for is added. The force-main is reported as unexposed ; but it is a single line and a break in it would put the entire system out of commission, The street mains are reported as inadequate for fire protection when the ordinary consumption of water becomes abnormal. The pressures are satisfactory, but could not be well maintained during a heavy fire-draught, owing to the small pumping capacity and inadequate size of the main arteries. As to the building laws: The report says there is no building department and the building laws are of little value from a fire-protective standpoint. They give opportunity for several severe criticisms. The laws governing the storage and handling of inflammable materials are pronounced inadequate. The need of adequate laws, rigidly enforced, is said to be apparent. The apparatus in use is as follows: Hose wagons (each 2horsed), five; 2-horse Holloway double 50-gal. chemical engine; first-size Ameriean-La France, extra-first-size Continental and extra-second-size Ahrens engine (each 3-horsed); 70-ft. aerial truck (3-horsed) ; combination chemical and hose wagon; combination chemical and hook and ladder truck (2-horsed) ; hook and ladder truck for winter use; village trucks, two; supply wagons, seven; hand-hose carts at Itasca, two; hand engine and hose cart at Allouez; portable chemical extinguishers, sixteen. The department is composed of forty-four paid men and fifty-five volunteers and seven fire-houses—one at Itasca and one at Allouez for volunteer firemen. Of 2j/$-in. hose there are 12,000 ft.; of i-in. chemical, 650 ft.; 1,500 ft. of 2j4-in. were needed at last report. Twenty-four horses are in regular service. The fire-alarm system (Gamewell) at last report required to be rebuilt in great part and two additional boxes were needed.

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