HonorRoleFireDep7Jan1918n0up0069
Edmonton Bulletin
7 Jan 1918
n0up0069
FIRE LOSS IS LESS THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR
Many Blazes Due to Carelessness, According to Annual Report of Fire Chief
Of the 535 fires which were responded to by the local department last year 126
were caused by hot ashes, carelessly placed, and to defective and overheated
chimneys. Twenty more were caused by children playing with matches, and two
others resulted from carelessness with matches. Carelessness also figured in
other cases. Three fires were caused by wood being placed too close to a stove,
four by grease on top of a stove catching fire, nine by overheated stovepipes,
21 by overheated stoves, 53 by burning rubbish, nine by carelessly flung cigar
or cigarette ends, and four by electric irons becoming overheated from lack of
attention. Thawing pipes, exploding coal oil and other preventable causes all
help to make up the general total.
Total Loss Reduced
The foregoing particulars are taken from the annual report of Fire Chief
Henderson. It is satisfactory to note, he points out, that the total loss from
fire in Edmonton last year was much less than it was the year preceding. The
loss adjusted by insurance was $69,570.93, against $16,830.89. More insurance
was carried this year, being $4,708,750, against $4, 369,308.33.
The loss per capital was $1.31 against $2.08 last year, a distinct improvement.
The time occupied by the department in answering calls during the year was 557
hours and four minutes, to be exact, and the distance travelled in proceeding
to and from fires works out of a total of 193 miles, 717 yards, 1 foot. The
total staff of the department is 79. No new equipment was bought during the
year.
The Honor Roll
A prominent feature of the report is the honor roll of the department which is
presented by Chief Henderson, who states that he has to record the death of two
more former members during the year. This makes a total of three killed and
five wounded, and one wounded and missing among those enlisted from the
department. The list is as follows:
Pte. Alvord, Collette H., R.F. Corps; Pte. Bible, William F., 202nd Batt.
(wounded and missing); Pte. Bowes, John P., Engineers; Pte. Blakely, Chas.,
49th Batt. (wounded); Pte. Campbell, Lorne D., Engineers; Pte. Cawsey, John A.,
63rd Batt.; Pte. Clarkson, Harry H., 31st Batt.; Driver Cochrane, George, M. T.
Co'y.; Driver Cochrane, William, M. T. Co'y.; Pte. Connelly, William, 66th
Batt. (killed); Capt. Denning, Ernest C., 218th Batt.; Pte. Doherty, George O.,
49th Batt.; Pte. Dutton, Albert, 63rd Batt. (wounded twice); Sig. Gauld, Chas.
A., 63rd Batt. (wounded); Pte. Hardy, Thos., Engineers; L.- Corp. Hislop,
George, Engineers; Pte. Hislop, Wilber, 138th Batt.; Sig. Irwin, William H.,
63rd Batt.; Saddler Kavanagh, Frank E., C.F.A.; Driver Mathieson, William A.,
M. T. Co'y.; Sergt. Montgomery, James, 63rd Batt.; Pte. McDonald, Clarence D.,
63rd Batt.; Pte. McMahan, James H., Engineers; Pte. McRae, Angus, Engineers;
Sergt. Noak, Herbert (M. C.) Anti-Aircraft (wounded); Pte. Parsons, William R.,
Engineers; Sergt. Rae, Alex, 63rd Batt.; Sergt. Robertson, Henry G., Pay
Office; Pte. Robertson, John, A.S.C.; Pte. Roffers, Louis, 63rd Batt. (killed);
Pte. Shinnan, Alex., 31st Batt.; Sergt. Smith, John, 202nd Batt.; Pte. Stanley,
Harry S., 63rd Batt.; Pte. Stuart, George, 63rd Batt. (killed); Driver Sullivan,
Albert, M.T. Co'y; Pte. Taylor, Alfred, 66th Batt.; Pte. Turner, Thomas, 49th
Batt. (wounded).
Telegraph Report
In reporting on the operation of the fire alarm system, the superintendent of
the fire alarm telegraphs says:
"The system has remained unchanged during the year and has operated quite
smoothly and efficiently. The total number of alarms received was 535, of which
58 were box, 366 phone, 42 messenger, and 39 private alarms. This shows quite
the usual ratio and in keeping with other years. The plant and boxes are in
good order and have not suffered any damage or abnormal wear, and all lines are
in good shape. The only addition was a private box installed at the Parliament
buildings, which is a very desirable installation. During the coming year one
new set of batteries will be required, for which I have allowed in my
estimates."
Extracted by J. Kynman. 2009-09-06
