To the Honorable, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the City and County of San Francisco:

GENTLEMEN : I have the honor to submit to you the fifteenth annual report of the San Francisco Fire Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881.

The report contains a statement of the condition and workings of the department a complete roll of the companies with the property under their charge, including engines, hose-reels, hook and ladder trucks and appurtenances material and property belonging to the department contained in the Corporation Yard, the number of alarms responded to by each company, number of times in service and time at work at fires.

The department has responded to 255 hall-bell alarms and 51 still alarms, making 306 actual fires, causing a loss of $393,320 57; insurance paid, $207,-667.14.

Greatest number of buildings burned at one fire, October 17, corner Mission and Steuart street hay fire, wherein twelve buildings were destroyed, causing a loss of $30,545.

The largest fire was on August 10, corner Fulton and First avenue, in the outlying portion of the city, causing a loss of $30,756.55. There being no water available in the vicinity, the efforts of the department were of no particular account.

When we take into consideration the class and character of the buildings in this city, where the build-as-you-please system prevails to so great an extent, where no limit is denned, and any dangerous building or structure can be erected or maintained by permission of the Honorable Board of Supervisors, it is remarkable that in this city, built almost entirely of wood, so few fires of any magnitude occur. I can only say that the activity of the department and the plentiful supply of water is an answer.

HYDRANTS.
During the year nineteen (19) additional hydrants have been set in the outlying portions of the city, making a total of thirteen hundred and twenty-eight (1,328) the property of the city, and forty-three (43) owned by private parties, making a total of thirteen hundred and seventy-one (1,371) available for fire purposes. In addition to these hydrants, there are located in different portions of the city fifty-five (55) cisterns, with a capacity of two millions (2,000,000) of gallons. They all have been carefully examined and found satisfactory; have been re-filled, and, in, case of necessity, can be relied upon.

HOSE
The hose of the department are all on the reels of the different companies, and I recommend an immediate purchase by the city of at least ten thousand feet of the best quality of carbolized hose, Maltese brand, to keep the companies supplied in case of emergency. The wear and tear of hose is very great, and the supply consequently must be maintained.

APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the department is in the best possible condition for service. I have substituted the patent brass suction for the leather ones formerly in use, thereby making the time in connecting with hydrants much less, and besides the liability to breakage is almost done away with. The Leverich Truck, formerly in use by Truck Company 4, has been replaced by a new third-class Hayes Truck, with all the new improvements, and is admirably adapted to the hilly portions of the city.

HOUSES.
The houses of the department are all in an excellent state of repair. I respectfully renew my recommendation for the exchange of the lot occupied by Engine Company 11, located on Fourteenth avenue, South San Francisco, for one situated on Railroad avenue, and the erection of a suitable house on the same for the use of the company, as the present one is unfitted for use on account of the street not being graded, thereby rendering it difficult for the company to respond promptly to alarms of fire. I also renew my recommendation for the formation and location of a hose company in the vicinity of Mission, Valencia and Twenty-sixth streets hose-carriage to be four-wheeled and capable of carrying at least one thousand feet of hose. That portion of the city certainly requires some protection against fire, as the nearest company is Engine Company No. 7, located on Sixteenth street.

I respectfully tender my thanks to the Honorable the Mayor, the Honorable Board of Supervisors and the Fire Department Committee of the Board of Supervisors for their cordial support and prompt response to all requests made to them to provide for the department, to which hearty co-operation is due in a great measure the success attending the efforts of the department during the year; to Chief Crowley of the Police Department; to Capt. Russell White of the Fire Patrol and his command, for the very great assistance rendered on many occasions; to John L. Durkee, Fire Marshal, for the aid rendered; to Superintendent John Curran and his assistants of the Fire Alarm Telegraph, for the prompt and efficient manner he has conducted his branch of the service during the year.

I also compliment the officers and members of the department for the promptness with which they have responded to all alarms during the year, and the very efficient manner in which they have labored in subduing fires; and I am proud to say that the department is fully equal to any emergency likely to arise.

In conclusion, allow me to return thanks to your Honorable Board for your untiring efforts to maintain discipline and efficiency in the department, and aid me in the discharge of my duties a credit to your management in the interest of the city and tax-payers.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

DAVID SCANNELL,
Chief Engineer San Francisco Fire Department.
San Francisco, July 1, 1881.

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