WIGAN'S FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES.
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A Lancashire Authority which has had Many Years' Experience of Mechanical Appliances.
EVERYBODY knows Wigan—the town described by a cynic as famous for its coal and its comedians. But this busy Lancashire town is not so black as it is painted. Industrially and commercially it is prosperous, and municipally it is as well managed as any borough in the County Palatine.
The Wigan Fire Brigade is under the superintendency of the chief constable, Mr. Thomas Pey, who a few days ago gave a representative of The Cormraereial Motor an insight into the working of the fire brigade and ambulance organization. The corporation acquired its first petrol fire-engine, a Merryweather, in July, 1909. This unit is fitted with a 55 h.p. engine and has a pumping capacity of 500 gallons per minute. It was only about 12 months ago that this machine was fitted with an accelerator. It has a clutch operated by the right foot and a straight quadrant for the gear changes.
The first self-propelled vehicle having given very satisfactory service, the next change was the removal of the body from an old horse fire-engine and the refitting of it on to a L.G.O. chassis with a 40 h.p. engine. The third unit was acquired in 1921, this being a Leyland pump of 450 gallons capacity. Each of these machines is fitted with escapes of 35-ft. to 55-ft. range, plus a 15-ft. extension. The most recent addition to the fleet has been a Dennis portable pump of 250 gallons capacity. This unit has, we were told, " proved its worth on innumerable occasions." Prior to 1909 the department had two steam fireengines in service, and the last of these was dispensed with as recently as two years ago.
When the brigade was entirely equipped with horse-propelled appliances 16 horses were in commission, and what was formerly their stables is now occupied by ambulance garages and motor repair shops. It is just 10 years since horses were entirely displaced by motors.
The area served by the Wigan Fire Brigade comprises 55 sq. miles, the farthest point being situated eight miles distant from the central fire station. The total population of the area is 326,400, and the district has a total rateable value of £800,000. Many of the smaller district . councils surrounding Wigan pay the corporation a retaining fee for fire brigade and ambulance service. The personnel of the brigade comprises the chief constable, an inspector, a sergeant, two engineers and 13 policefiremen, together with five auxiliary fire
men. The regular staff, however, which is always on duty, comprises four men —the inspector, the sergeant and two engineers. The other members of the brigade are in the service of the police department and, having received special training, when a fire call is received and the alarm bell sounds, immediately abandon their normal duties, hasten to the engine house, put on a helmet and equipment, and mount the " first-turn engine," the Leyland. The "first turn" crew cdhsists of eight men.
With a watch in his hand, the writer the moment of the sounding of the alarm bell until the engine was actually outside the engine house. No preliminaries had been arranged, yet the fireengine was on the road in 16 secs. At night-time the "first turn" can leave the station within one minute. If a second machine be required at a conflagration, police-firemen on street duty have to be summoned. This is sometimes done by telephone and at other times by messenger. As the men are always within easy range, little delay is involved.
The number of fires that occurred during the past year was 52, an increase of 17 on the previous year. Of these 44 occurred within the Borough of Wigan and eight outside. The brigade was engaged at fires for just under 47 hours, or an average of 54 minutes for each fire, the time being calculated from the receipt of the alarm until the return of the brigade to the station. Thirty-seven of these calls were communicated by telephone and 15 by messengers.
Considering that Wigan has a population of 90,000 people and that the total loss through fires in the borough was assessed at £1,153, covered by insurance to the extent of about £10,60% it will be realized that both residents and industrial concerns take adequate precautions to minimise the risk of fire. In the outer district fire losses in the period mentioned amounted to £1,735, covered by insurance to the amount of 128,860. These figures may appear very trifling, but so is the cost of the brigade in relation to its responsibilities, the charge on the rates being only £1,667 per annum, or 1.03d, in the pound.
When a fire call is received at' police headquarters it is immediately switched through to the engine house at the firestationand the operator is responsible for summoning the engine crews. By means of a private telephone switchboard, on which every member of the parade has a connection, communication can be promptly established with members on duty in the police and in the fire-brigade building. If the whole of the brigade be required, a general call or alarm bell is sounded by the operation of a single lever. If only particular members of the brigade be required the selections can be made without delay by the officer in charge and notified through this private exchange.
The principal works and industrial undertakings within the area covered by the brigade are concerned with the production of coal and by-products, mining explosives and textiles. An outbreak at any of these works might have very dis astrous results. But the Wigan authorities, believing that prevention is better than cure, take every precaution to avoid dangerous possibilities of damage by fire. Strange to relate, there has only been one occasion during the past, 12
months when it has been necessary for the brigade to use its pumps. In every other instance water was drawn from the mains.
The seat of fires in colliery engine houses, or on coal mining premises, is always difficult of approach by road, owing to intersections formed by railday tracks, slag heaps and other obstructions. On such occasions the Dennis portable puma has proved of marked utility, and is very highly spoken of by the brigade's chief officers. Fires at night are not of frequent occurrence, but when they do break out an artificial illuminant is required ; this is supplied by acetylene burners.
The Wigan fire brigade arranges fire drills once every month and, on this occasion, all equipment and plant is thoroughly inspected. The two engineers attached to the staff undertake all ordinary repairs and machines are thoroughly overhauled about once every three years.
The average mileage of each machine in the fire-fighting fleet is 80 to 90 per al1/111111.
• The " first-turn " engine carries such equipment as fire helmets and emergency apparatus. The brigade has in service 5,000 yds. of 21-in, hose and 8,000 yds. of 3f-in. hose, with standard couplings.
• The motor ambulance services of the Wigan Corporation were inaugurated in 1916, iii which year the use of horses was superseded. The venture was made with a 36 h.p. Studebaker. At first this was a general-utility vehicle, undertaking not only the removal of persons involved in accident, but occasional police service. From the date it was put into service until the end of May, 1926, this ambulance had transported 8,115 patients. Last year, feeling the need of an additional ambulance, the authorities purchased a Daimler of the latest type and this, during the first five months of this year, has responded to 153 calls.
To give an idea of the year's work of the ambulances, it may be stated that during 1925 they responded to 528 cases of accidents or sudden illness, involving the removal of 303 persons to the infirmary, five to the workhouse, 99 to , their homes and 24 removals of convalescents. In addition, there were 36 calls from outer districts and 25 journeys to nursing homes, etc.
The average journeys undertaken by the ambulances cover about three miles, and calls from outer districts work out at about two per week. The time • occupied in, attending to. ambulance • cases during the past year was 43.
• hours, making an average of about 49 minutes Per journey.
For police service—the removal of prisoners, the conveyance of stores, the removal of dead, etc.—a 30-cwt.„Maxwell van is employed. This patrol wagon was -called out 333 tittles last year. Thus the main police service is undertaken by the Maxwell vehicle, the main ambulance service by the Daimler, and the Studebaker is a go-between emergency vehicle ready to render assistance, to either branch of the service when oeeto3Con requires.