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AN EFFICIENT FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE.

14th April 1925, Page 26
14th April 1925
Page 26
Page 27
Page 26, 14th April 1925 — AN EFFICIENT FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE.
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A Brief Review of the Activities of the Darlington Brigade.

COMPARATIVELY few towns of corresponding size can boast such an up-to-date and thoroughly efficient fire-fighting force as Darlington, where the corporation, after a general buildingup process extending over a number of years, completed the motorization of this important branch of municipal service two years ago.

The " Quaker Town," as may be known, is equally important as an industrial and an agricultural centre, and is a rapidly developing township. It has a population of 65,000 and a rateable value of practically half a million pounds, and contains many extensive business and industrial establishments, in order properly to safeguard which a really reliable and efficient fire-fighting force is a decessity. Just how far the enterprising policy of building up the present modern fleet has been justified by actual results is indicated by the fact that of the total amount of property endangered by fire during the last year for which statistics are available, 96.39 per cent. was saved. In comparison with the figures recorded in the old days of slow horse-drawn fire-fighting machines, this return is a striking one, and in itself forms the strongest argument in favour of motor vehicles for fire-brigade uses.

The equipment of the Darlington Fire Brigade comprises :—A Leyland engine with 500-gallon pump; a Dennis engine with 250-gallon pump ; a steam engine (motor-drawn) with 350-gallon pump; an International tender, and a Daimler tender. The former tender carries a 65-ft. escape and the latter a 50-ft. appliance.

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The Daimler tender is reserved for hauling the steam engine, and the International tender is provided with a detachable trailer pump, which is fitted with Michelin pneumatic tyres and used in cases where a heavy engine cannot be taken sufficiently near to an outbreak, -owing to the heavy nature of the ground, confined area, or other causes. Since its purchase this trailer has proved of the utmost value and has been responsible for saving a large amount of property by reason of its mobility_

Other vehicles under the charge of the brigade captain—Mr. J. R. Porritt —include a Buick and a Ford ambulance and a Ford prison van.

Many interesting and instructive facts emerge from a survey of the work of the brigade for the last coutplete year, namely, the period ended March 31st, 1924. In all, 30 calls were made upon the services of the brigade, and the damage caused by fires within the borough was estimated at the low flore of 14,261, the approximate value of property actually endangered being 1117,920.

This material reduction in the amount of fire damage in the town has only been rendered possible by the increased speed with which motors can be rushed to the scene of a fire, and to the increased efficiency of the mechanically operated appliances while engaged in quelling the flames.

During the year under review the motor engines worked, in all, 28 hrs. 43 mins. and the steam engine 65 hrs. 5 mine., including drills, tests and pumping. Over the same period the ambulances were called out to 216 street and, works accidents and 364 removal eases, and 75 calls were made on the prison van.

The following table shows the total

amount of property, etc., involved, as well as the actual amount of damage, both inside and outside the borough, during the past four years, as well as the calls made upon the ambulances and prison van, and provides further testimony as to the utility and, indeed, the indispensability of motors:—

It will, of course, be appreciated that most of the calls from outside the borough area are to inaccessible country residences and farmsteads, and that, in many instances, considerable time has elapsed before the brigade has been summoned. By an arrangement with the authorities concerned the corporation covers the Darlington Rural and the Croft Rural Council areas, and it also has agreements with a number of residents within a radius of 20 miles.


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