Report on Fort Wayne, Indiana (superseding previous reports)

              RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FORT WAYNE, IND.
Residential Districts.-Among older residences,
a wood frame apartment develQpment, and hous­ing
units in mercantile areas fires could involve
more than the building of origin. Newer resi­dences
are single-family and none has a wood­shingle
roof so fires should be localized.
RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Recommendations marked with a star <*) are deemed of most importance and their early
adoption is urged.
WATER SUPPLY
1. That a gong on a fire alarm circuit be in­stalled
at the water department shop, and that a
responsible employee, equipped to operate valves
and cooperate with the fire department, respond
to all second alarms of fire.
2. That the distribution system be strength­ened
by the installation of mains, some of which
are proposed by the city, shown in red on the
map and that the following be ad-opted as the
minimum size of mains used for hydrant supply
for all future construction.
a. For residential districts, 8-inch; 6-inch
to be used only where it completes a good grid­iron
and in no case in blocks 600 feet or more
in length.
b. In business and industrial districts, 8-
and 12-inch; the former to be used where it
completes a good gridirQn and the latter for
long lines not interconnected.
3. That general improvement of the distribu­tion
system be made by replacing 4-inch mains
used for hydrant supply and that dead ends be
eliminated wherever practicable.
4. That the distribution system be equipped
with a sufficient number of valves, so located
that no case of accident, breakage, or repair to
the pipe system in important districts will neces­sitate
shutting from service a length of main
greater than the side ,of a single block, or a maxi­mum
of 500 feet, or in other districts greater than
two sides of a single block, or a maximum of 800
feet.
5. That all valves be inspected annually and
large or important valves more frequently, and
that records be kept of inspections, operation and
repairs.
*6. That additional hydrants be provided so
that:
a. In the principal business district and
other high value areas, the area served by
each hydrant will not exceed 48,000 square feet.
b. In residential districts there will be hy­drants
at all street intersections and at inter­mediate
locations so that the distance between
hydrants will not exceed 500 feet.
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*7. That hydrants be inspected in the spring
and fall of each year and after use at fires, in­spection
to include operation of the hydrant, and
that all defects be promptly repaired; records to
be kept of inspection, operation and repairs.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
8. That sufficient company officers be ap­pointed
so that ,one will be on duty with each
company at all times.
*9. That all appointments to and promotions
within the department be made under suitable
civil service or equivalent regulations with re­moval
only flOr cause.
10. That company members be retired at age
62 and that fire force personnel over age 55 be
given an annual medical examination.
11. That each district chief on duty be pro­vided
with an automQbile.
12. That Engine 8 and Rescue 1 be relocated
to a new station in the vicinity of Thompson and
Taylor Streets.
13. That the distribution of ladder companies
be improved by:
a. Establishing a new ladder company,
equipped with an aerial ladder truck, with
Engine 8;
b. Establishing another ladder company,
equipped with an aerial ladder truck with En­gine
10;
c. Relocating Ladder 2 with Engine 9.
*14. That sufficient men be added to the de­partment
at once so that at least 5 men will be
on duty with each high value engine and ladder
company and 4 men with all remaining com­panies
at all times.
Note: Standard manning requires 7 men on
duty at all times with each high value engine
and ladder company, 6 men with other ladder
companies and 5 men with other engine com­panies.
15. That pumpers be tested at least annually
and after major repairs in accordance with meth­ods
outlined by the National Board of Fire
U nderwri terse