1893 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

With great reluctance I am obliged to renew the recommendations of my predecessor iii office, David Scannell, to increase the efficiency of the Fire Department by reorganizing it into a full paid system, whereby the entire force will be continually on duty. The alarming increase in the number of fires each year is a warning of our approaching danger, and should be heeded; one large conflagration may at any time sweep our city into ashes. Nearly every city of note in the world has at some time or other been visited by a large conflagration, and no one knows when San Francisco's time may again come. Our city has twice before been visited by fires, which have cost her enough money to maintain a properly equipped Department for a generation. Our city is built almost entirely of wood, and I think I can safely say that we have a smaller fire limit area than any other city of our size in the Union. We are far removed from any city with a fire department of sufficient size to give us the assistance we would require in case a calamity of this kind should visit us, and if our Department cannot quench it, there is nothing we can do but blow down the surrounding blocks or burn up.

Five years ago the average number of alarms of fire each month was about fifteen. Our monthly average this year is forty-one. This means that our dangers are increasing, and that we should prepare ourselves for an approaching conflict. It is an old and truthful saying that an ounce of preventive is worth a pound of cure, and as an illustration thereof I quote a number of historical fires, many of which, no doubt, might have been prevented had proper precautions been taken. London was almost totally destroyed by fire three times. Two years after the great plague of 1664, London WAS visited by a terrible conflagration which burned for three days, and devoured nearly the entire city, which at that time was almost entirely built of wood. This fire destroyed many historical edifices, among them being the famous Guildhall, the Town House of London, which had stood for three centuries.

In the year 1137 the city of York, England, was totally destroyed.Moscow was twice visited by fire; in 1736 two thousand houses were destroyed, and again in 1752, eighteen thousand houses were devoured. St. Petersburg, in 1736, lost two thousand houses, and again in 1780 eleven thousand houses were consumed. In 1757 Cairo, Egypt, sustained a loss of $40,000,000.00 by one fire. In 1778, New Orleans, La., was seven-eighths destroyed by fire.

In 1794, Copenhagen, Denmark, was visited by three terrible fires, one of which destroyed $23,000,000.00 worth of property, with a loss of one hundred lives. And again in one year thereafter it was visited by a fire which burnt for two days and devoured sixteen hundred houses. Another fire shortly after destroyed one-quarter of the city.

In 1805, at St. Thomas, nine hundred warehouses were destroyed; loss $30,000.000.00.
In 1838, Charleston, S. C., at one fire lost $2,000,000.00.
In 1849, St. Louis, at one fire, lost fifteen blocks of houses and fifteen steamboats, amounting to $7,000,000.00.
San Francisco, in the same year, at one fire lost $2,000,000.00, and two years after, in one month, lost $7,000,000.00 at two fires.
Quebec, New York, Boston, Chicago and nearly all the principal cities on this continent have had fires, with which we are all familiar, and I ask if it would not have been much more economical for these latter cities to have maintained properly equipped Fire Departments than to suffer these immense losses through fire.

In conclusion, I recommend that every effort be made to have this Department reorganized into a fully paid one. This city should also have at least five thousand hydrants. The apparatus should be increased to thirty Steam engine companies, ten truck companies, and twelve chemical engines companies and a modern fire boat, for the protection of the shipping and the harbor front.

New houses should be built for Engines 7, 9, 10, and Engine House No. 19 should be remodeled. Fifteen thousand feet of cotton hose should be purchased for use of the Department.

The Corporation Yard should be remodeled, in order that more of the repairs necessary to the apparatus of the Department could be done by our mechanics, and the stable should be removed to some more central location. A new ordinance regulating the erection of buildings in this city and county is sadly needed, the present ordinance being faulty and contradictory.

I would further recommend that an ordinance compelling all electric light wires to be laid underground be passed by the Board of Supervisors, there being a great danger of fire from these wires strung on poles and over roofs of buildings during our winter storms.

In closing this report I desire to tender my thanks to the Hon. Board of Fire Commissioners for the active interest you have manifested in all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I desire also to thank the officers and members of the force for the alacrity manifested on all occasions in complying with my orders. I also desire to express my thanks to his Honor, Mayor Ellert, and the Honorable Board of Supervisors for the interest they have manifested in all business pertaining to the Department.

To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Charles Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, also Lieutenant O'Kell of the same institution, and to Superintendent Torpey of the Fire Alarm Telegraph, I am under many obligations for the manner in which they have assisted this Department in the discharge of their duties on all occasions.

Respectfully submitted,
D. T. SULLIVAN,
Chief of Fire Department

1894 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

I renew my recommendations that .the efficiency of the Department should be increased by reorganizing it into a fall-paid system, with the en- tire force continually on duty. There should be at least ten more Engine Companies, three Truck Companies, three Chemical Engine Companies, and one additional Water Tower Company.

At least 2,500 additional hydrants should be set throughout the city and larger water mains should be substituted for those now in use in the various sections of the city. A light draught, high power fire-boat, with a speed of not less than eighteen knots an hour and fully equipped with the most powerful fire-boat pumps, should be provided, fully manned, and under the control of the Fire Department, for the purpose of protecting the shipping on the bay and the wharves and buildings along the harbor front.

All electric light, telephone and telegraph wires should be placed under ground to prevent the danger of fire from wires strung on poles and over the roofs of houses during the winter storms.

I would suggest and recommend that red glass lie used in Street Gas Lamps on the corners of streets on which fire alarm boxes are located; by this means any person discovering a fire could immediately determine where the nearest fire alarm box is situated and a loss of valuable time in turning in an alarm could b« avoided. I farther recommend that the latest improved keyless doors be placed on fire alarm boxes in the mercantile districts, as a means of saving time in turning in alarms of fire.

In closing this report I desire to lender my thanks to the Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners for the active interest you have manifested in all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I desire also to thank the officers and members of the force for the alacrity manifested on all occasions in complying with my orders. I also desire to express my thanks to his Honor, Mayor Ellert, and the Honorable Board of Supervisors for the interest they have manifested in all business pertaining to the Department.

To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Charles Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, also Lieutenant O'Kell of the same institution, and to Superintendent Torpey of- the Fire Alarm Telegraph, I am under many obligations for the manner in which they have assisted this Department in the discharge of their duties on all occasions.

Respectfully submitted,
D. T. SULLIVAN
Chief of Fire Department

1895 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

I renew my recommendation that the Department be reorganized into a fully paid system, with the entire force continually on duty. The force should also be increased to at least thirty-five Steam Fire Engine Companies, nine Truck Companies, seven Chemical Engine Companies, two Water Tower companies, and one Fire-Boat Company. A light draught, high-power Fire-Boat, of good speed and large pumping capacity, should be provided for the protection of the harbor front and shipping.

Proper laws should be enacted, to compel all electric, telegraph and telephone wires to be placed under ground, which would prevent the danger of fire from wires strung on poles and over the roofs of houses. The office of Inspector of Wires should be created and a competent person appointed to examine and compel the proper Insulation of electric wires In buildings; if this be done it would remove one of our greatest dangers of fire; certainly nothing more could be done that would be more welcome to this Department, The latest improved keyless doors should be placed on the Fire Alarm Boxes In the mercantile district as a means of saving much valuable time In turning in alarms of fire.

The water supply throughout the city should be Increased by removing all three, four and six Inch water mains, and replacing them with eight, twelve, sixteen and twenty-four Inch mains, in all portions of the city, not already supplied with mains of larger and sufficient capacity.

The cisterns should be repaired, and one hundred more underground reservoirs, with capacities of not less than 100,000 gallons each, should be bullion the corners of streets m the Hotel and mercantile districts, and should be fed by six or eight inch pipes with gate valves attached directly from the street mains; by this means many more engines could be stationed closer to fires, and their streams siamesed Into one large one, would enable the Department to fight fires more effectively. The fire of June 27th last has convinced me more than ever of the necessity of these underground reservoirs for the protection of the city against fire.

I further recommend the passage of a new Building Ordinance, as the one now in force Is wholly inadequate, with a provision therein compelling the construction of fireproof roofs In certain limits of the city, to avert the danger from fire, now frequently caused by sparks from chimneys and large fires.

In closing this report I desire to tender my thanks to the Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners for the active Interest they have manifested in all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I desire also to thank the officers and members of the force for the alacrity manifested on all occasions In complying with my orders. I also desire to express my thanks to his Honor Mayor Sutro, and the Honorable Board of Supervisors for the interest they have manifested in all business pertaining to the Department.

To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Charles Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, also Lieutenant O'Kell of the same institution, and to Superintendent Hewitt of the Fire Alarm Telegraph, I am under many obligations for the manner In which they have assisted this Department In the discharge of their duties on all occasions.

Respectfully submitted,
D. T. SULLIVAN
Chief Engineer Fire Department

1896 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

I renew my recommendations that the Department be reorganized Into a fully paid system, with the entire force continually on duty. The force should also be increased to at least thirty-five Steam Fire Engine Companies, nine Truck Companies, seven Chemical Engine Companies, two Water Tower Companies and one Fire Boat Company.

A light draught, high-power Fire Boat, of good speed and large pumping capacity, should be provided for the harbor front and shipping. Proper laws should be enacted to compel all electric, telegraph and telephone wires to be placed under ground, which would prevent the danger of fire from wires strung on poles and over the roofs of houses.

The office of Inspector of Wires should be created and a competent person appointed to examine and compel the proper insulation of electric wires In buildings; If this be done It would remove one of our greatest dangers of fire; certainly nothing more could be done that would be more welcome to this Department.

The latest Improved keyless doors should be placed on the Fire Alarm Boxes In the mercantile district as a means of saving much valuable time ln turning in alarms of fire.

The water supply throughout the city should be Increased by removing till small and insufficient water mains and replacing them with eight,; twelve, sixteen and twenty-four inch mains, In all portions of the city not already supplied with mains of large and sufficient capacity. I also recommend the setting of more hydrants In all districts that are not sufficiently provided therewith.

The cisterns should be repaired, and one hundred additional underground reservoirs, with capacities of not less than 100,000 gallons each, should be built on the corners of streets In the hotel and mercantile districts, and should be fed by six or eight inch pipes with gate valves attached directly from the street mains; by this means many more engines could be stationed closer to fires, and their streams siamesed Into one large one would enable the Department to fight fires more effectively.

I further recommend that Engine House No. 10 and Truck House No. 3 be torn down and that new houses be built thereon for said companies. I also recommend the Immediate removal of the Fire Alarm Office from its present location In Chinatown to the dome of the New City Hall. This office, In Its present location, lain very great danger of being destroyed by fire, on the surrounding neighborhood Is inhabited exclusively by Chinese, and fires are of very frequent occurrence in that Immediate locality. The destruction of this office would result In very serious loss to the city, as all means of communicating alarms of fire would be shut off.

In closing this report I desire to tender my thanks to the Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners for the active Interest they have manifested in all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I also desire to thank the officers and members of the force for the alacrity manifested on all occasions in complying with my orders. I also desire to express my thanks to his Honor Mayor Sutro, and the Honorable Board of Supervisors for the interest they have manifested in all business pertaining to the Department. To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Charles Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, and to Superintendent Hewitt of the Fire Alarm Office, I am under many obligations for the manner In which they have assisted this Department In the discharge of their duties on all occasions.

Respectfully submitted,
D.T. SULLIVAN
Chief Engineer Fire Department

1897 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

I respectfully recommend that all the companies of this Department now responding to alarms of fire in the mercantile district of the city be placed under a fully paid system, with the entire force continually on duty, in accordance with and as authorized by the provisions of an Act of the Legislature approved March 4, 1897, entitled "An Act to provide for increasing the efficiency of fire departments within municipalities of the first class in the State of California."

The force should be increased to at least thirty-five steam fire engine companies, nine truck companies, six chemical engine companies, two water tower companies, one fire boat company, and two monitor battery companies.

A light-draught, high-power fire boat of good speed and large pumping capacity should be provided for the harbor front and shipping.

Proper laws should be enacted to compel all electric, telegraph and telephone wires to be placed underground. The office of Inspector of Wires should be created and a competent person appointed to examine and compel the proper insulation of electric wires in buildings; if this be done it would remove one of our greatest dangers of fire. Certainly nothing more could be done that would be more welcome to this Department.

The latest improved keyless doors should be placed on the fire alarm boxes in the mercantile district, as a means of saving much valuable time in turning in alarms of fire.

The water supply throughout the city should be increased by removing all small and inadequate water mains and replacing them with eight, twelve, sixteen and twenty-four-inch mains in all portions of the city not already supplied with mains of large and sufficient capacity. I also recommend the setting of more hydrants in all districts that are not sufficiently provided therewith.

The cisterns should be repaired, and one hundred additional underground reservoirs, with capacities of not less than 100,000 gallons, should be built on the corners of streets in the hotel and mercantile districts, and should be fed by six or eight inch pipes with gate valves attached directly from the street mains; by this means many more engines could be stationed nearer to fires, and their streams siamesed into one large stream would enable the Department to fight fires more effectively.

I also recommend that Engine House No 11 be torn down and that a new building be erected for that company.

I further recommend the purchase of a suitable lot in that portion of the city known as Holly Park for the purpose of erecting an engine house thereon, and that an engine company be organized and placed in service thereat, in order to afford that locality the proper and necessary protection against fire.

I also recommend the immediate removal of the Fire Alarm Office from its present location in Chinatown to the dome of the New City Hall. This office in its present location, is in very great danger of being destroyed by fire, as the surrounding neighborhood is inhabited exclusively by Chinese and fires are of frequent occurrence in that immediate locality. The destruction of this office would result in a very serious loss to the city, as all means of communicating alarms of fire would be entirely shut off.

In closing this report I desire to tender my thanks to your Honorable Board for the active interest manifested by you in all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I also desire to thank the officers and members of the force for the alacrity manifested by them on all occasions in complying with my orders.

I also desire to express my thanks to His Honor Mayor Phelan and the Honorable Board of Supervisors for the interest they have manifested in all business pertaining to the Department. To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Charles Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, and to Superintendent Hewitt of the Fire Alarm Office I am under many obligations for the manner in which they have assisted this Department in the discharge of their duties on all occasions.

Very respectfully submitted,

D. T. SULLIVAN,
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.

1898 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

I renew my recommendation that the Department be reorganized into a fully paid system, with the entire force continually on duty. The force should be increased to at least thirty-five steam fire engine companies, nine truck companies, six chemical engine companies, two water tower companies, one fire-boat company and two monitor battery companies.

The engine house now occupied by Engine Company No. 22 and Truck 5 should be torn down and a new, modern structure erected in its place.

A suitable lot should be purchased in the vicinity of Point Lobos and Masonic avenues, a new engine house built thereon, and Engine Company Co. 22 transferred there from its present location on Post street, near Fillmore, as said district is in need of better protection.

A lot and house should be purchased and erected in the vicinity of Sixth and Brannan streets, and a new truck company stationed thereat. This is in the heart of the milling district, where numerous fires have demonstrated the necessity of better protection.

I further recommend the purchase of a suitable lot and the erection of a new building for the Water Tower.

In view of the immense value of shipping interests of this City, better protection should be given to the water front, and I therefore earnestly recommend that a light-draught, high-power fire-boat of good speed and large pumping capacity be provided for that purpose. Hundreds of thousands of dollars might be saved to the community by the expenditure of comparatively few thousands in this direction.

A new steel drill tower should be built in the rear of Engine House No. 28.

All engine houses should be lighted by electricity, and the latest appliances employed for that purpose.

The silent system of signals and new switchboards should be provided in all fire houses of the Department.

The latest improved keyless doors should be placed on the fire-boxes in the mercantile district, as a means of saving much valuable time in turning in alarms of .fire.

I again recommend the immediate removal of the Fire Alarm Office to some suitable place in the City Hall, and the purchase of a proper plant for the conduct of this important branch of the Fire Department. In its present location the office is in great danger of being destroyed by fire, together with its valuable appliances, and should be located in a more safe position.

I also recommend that the water supply throughout the City be increased by the removal of all small and inadequate water mains, and replacing them with eight, twelve, sixteen and twenty-four inch mains in all portions of the City not already supplied with mains of large and sufficient capacity; and more fire .hydrants should be set in all districts that are not sufficiently provided therewith.

I further recommend that all cisterns now available for fire purposes be repaired, .and that one hundred additional underground reservoirs, with capacities of not less than 10,000 gallons, be built on the corners of streets in the hotel and mercantile districts, and fed by eight-inch pipes with gate valves attached directly from the street mains. By this means many more engines could be stationed nearer fires, and their streams, siamesed into one large stream, would enable the Department to fight fires more effectively.

In closing this report, I desire to tender my thanks to your Honorable Board for the active interest manifested by you in all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I also desire to thank the officers and members of the force for the alacrity manifested by them on all occasions in complying with my orders.

I also desire to express my thanks to His Honor Mayor Phelan and the Honorable Board of Supervisors for the interest they have manifested in all business pertaining to the Department. To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Charles Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, and to Superintendent Hewitt of the Fire Alarm Office, I am under many obligations for the manner in which they have assisted this Department in the discharge of their duties on all occasions.

Very respectfully yours,

D. T. SULLIVAN,
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.

1899 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

I renew my recommendation that the Department be reorganized Into a fully paid system, with the entire force continually on duty. The force should be increased to at least thirty-five steam fire engine companies, nine truck companies, seven chemical engine companies, two water tower companies, one fire-boat company, and two monitor battery companies. Engine houses Nos. 9, 22 and 24 should be torn down, and new, modern structures erected in their places, and Engine house No. 23 should be repaired.

In view of the Immense value of shipping Interests of this City, better protection should be given to the water front, and I therefore earnestly recommend that a light-draught, high-power fire-boat of good speed and large pumping capacity be provided for that purpose. Hundreds of thousands of dollars might be saved to the community by the expenditure of comparatively few thousands In this direction.

All engine houses should be lighted by electricity, and the latest appliances employed for that purpose. The silent system of signals and new switchboards should be provided In all fire houses of the Department. The latest improved keyless doors should be placed on the fire-boxes In the mercantile district, as a means of saving much valuable time in turning in alarms of fire.

I again recommend the immediate removal of the Fire Alarm Office to some suitable place In the City Hall, and the purchase of a proper plant for the conduct of this important branch of the Fire Department. In Its present location the office is in great danger of being destroyed by fire, together with its valuable appliances, and should be located In a more safe position.

I also recommend that the water supply throughout the City be Increased by the removal of all small and inadequate water mains, and replacing them with eight, twelve, sixteen and twenty-four inch mains In all portions of the City not already supplied with mains of large and sufficient capacity; and more fire hydrants should be set In all districts that are not sufficiently provided therewith. I further recommend that all cisterns now available for fire purposes be repaired, and that one hundred additional underground reservoirs, with capacities of not less than 10,000 gallons, be built on the corners of streets In the hotel and mercantile districts, and fed by eight-inch pipes with gate valves attached directly from the street mains. By this means many more engines could be stationed nearer fires, and their streams, siamesed Into one large stream, would enable the Department to fight fires more effectively.

In closing this report, I desire to tender my thanks to your Honorable Board for the active interest manifested by you In all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I also desire to thank the officers and members of the force for the alacrity manifested by them on all occasions In complying with my orders. I also desire to express my thanks to His Honor Mayor Phelan and the Honorable Board of Supervisors for the Interest they have manifested In all business pertaining to the Department. To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Charles Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, and to Superintendent Hewitt of the Fire Alarm Office, I am under many obligations for the manner In which they have assisted this Department In the discharge of their duties on all occasions.

Very respectfully yours,
D. T. SULLIVAN,
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.

1901 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

In part
New houses are urgently needed for the following companies, their present quarters being in poor condition:
Engine Company No. 5, 1219 Stockton street.
Engine Company No. 8, 1648 Pacific avenue.
Engine Company No. 9, 320 Main street.
Engine Company No. 24, 449 Douglass street.
Truck Company No. 5, 1819 Post street.

Owing to the limited appropriation to the Board of Public Works for this purpose, only one house can be built, namely, the house on Howard street, near Third, already referred to in this report.

The department needs a first-class fire boat for the better protection of the valuable and ever-increasing water front property and shipping interests, and we again most earnestly recommend that ample provisions be made for this purpose in the next tax levy.

We further recommend that provisions be made for putting in an auxiliary salt water system in the downtown districts, for the better protection of the enormous values found in that section of our city.

The department is in excellent condition. All the companies in the business portion of the city have a full complement of men, and in the outlying districts the companies have been increased and strengthened as far as our appropriation would admit.

CONSTRUCTION, TOPOGRAPHY AND ISOLATION.

The construction of buildings, the topography and the isolation of San Francisco make it imperative that our department be maintained to the highest point of efficiency.

The following table will show the relative number of frame and brick buildings in the cities named: It will be observed that in San Francisco about 7 per cent, of the buildings are brick and 93 per cent, frame; in Boston, 30 per cent, brick and 70 per cent, frame (this includes the extensive suburban districts of the city of Boston); in Chicago. 56 per cent brick and 44 per cent frame; in St. Louis, 80 per cent, brick and 20 per cent, frame; in Philadelphia, 94 per cent, brick and 6 per cent, frame. San Francisco has the largest percentage of frame buildings of any of the cities named.

Our city is also located upon many hills, over which it is difficult to drag our apparatus, hence we must have many stations so located as to reach the most difficult points. Every other city named is built upon level ground, where the heaviest apparatus can be carried with great rapidity from one part of the city to another.

San Francisco is practically limited to its own apparatus, for there are only 14 steam fire engines all told in other cities and towns within 75 miles of San Francisco. We are therefore compelled to rely almost exclusively upon our own protection. The city of Boston, for illustration, aside from having a very large fire department of its own, and auxiliary salt water mains running from the bay into the center of the city, and to which fire boats of great power may be attached, may call for assistance from cities and towns located within a radius of 50 miles 160 steam fire engines in event of a great conflagration. For these reasons it is obviously the part of wisdom to make the most liberal provisions for this branch of our city government.

In an appendix hereto will be found a list of the persons, firms and corporations from whom the department has purchased apparatus, materials and supplies during the fiscal year 1900-1901.

Respectfully submitted,

ROLLA V. WATT, President;
M. H. HECHT,
JOHN H. GRADY,
J. C. McKINSTRY,
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS.

J. W. MCCARTHY, Secretary.
D. T. SULLIVAN, Chief Engineer.

1902 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

In part
An appropriation has been made in the levy for the next fiscal year for the purchase of a lot and the building of a house for an engine company in the vicinity of Bush and Taylor streets the boarding house district which will be established there.

New houses are urgently needed for the following companies, their present quarters being in very poor condition, but owing to the failure to make sufficient appropriation for this purpose, it will be impossible to accomplish anything during the next fiscal year:
Engine Company No. 5, 1219 Stockton street.
Engine Company No. 8, 1648 Pacific street.
Engine Company No. 9, 320 Main street.
Engine Company No. 24, 449 Douglass street.
Truck Company No. 5, 1819 Pest street.

One of the most essential needs of the department is that of a first class fire boat for the better protection of the valuable and constantly increasing water front property and shipping interests, and we again most earnestly recommend that ample provisions be made in the next tax levy for that purpose.

We also renew our recommendation that provisions be made for the establishing of a salt water system in the down-town district for the better protection of the enormous values located in that section of the city. This matter is now being considered by the Board of Supervisors.
The department in general is in a most excellent condition. During the past year all of the companies have been gradually increased in membership, until now all of them have the full complement of men allowed, namely, ten for engine companies and twelve for truck companies.
In an appendix hereto will be found a list of persons, firms and corporations from whom the department has purchased apparatus, material and supplies during the fiscal year 1901-1902.

Respectfully submitted,

ROLLA V. WATT, President ;
M. H. HECHT,
JOHN H. GRADY,
J. S. PARRY,

BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
J. W. MCCARTHY, Secretary.

D. T. SULLIVAN, Chief Engineer.

1903 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

I desire to call attention to what is known as the Sunnyside District. This portion of the city has been largely built up within the past few years,
principally with homes of the working classes, and is almost entirely without fire protection. I would therefore recommend that the Board of Supervisors be requested to make provisions in the next appropriation for the erection of an engine house on the Fire Department lot at the corner of San Jose avenue and the road leading to the Branch County Jails, and that an Engine Company be located there.

In view of the immense value of the shipping interests of this city better protection should be afforded the water front, and I therefore earnestly recommend that a light draught, high power, fire boat of good speed and large pumping capacity be provided for that purpose. With such a fire boat, ever ready for duty, considerable valuable water front property could be saved annually.

I again renew my recommendation that a salt water pipe system be provided for the mercantile portion of the city. This would insure a sufficient supply of water in case of a large conflagration.

New houses are most urgently needed for some of the companies of the Department, and especially for Engine Companies 5, 8, 9 and 24 and Truck Company 5. These houses should be replaced by more modern structures as they are entirely unfitted for Fire Department purposes.

I also recommend that the water supply throughout the city should be increased by the removal of all small and inadequate mains and replacing them with 8, 12, 16 and 24-inch mains in all portions of the city not already supplied with mains of large and sufficient capacity, and that as many hydrants to be set in those districts not sufficiently provided therewith as the available funds of the Department will allow.

During the year just closed some fifty new members were appointed to positions in the Department from the Civil Service eligible list. Those being the first appointments made in this manner, and as considerable doubt has been expressed as to the advisability of Civil Service in the selection of firemen, I desire to state that these men have, with very few exceptions, during the few months they have been in the service, proved to be very acceptable, giving general satisfaction in the discharge of the duties assigned to them,, and .1 feel confident will make good firemen with more experience.

In conclusion, I desire to tender my sincere thanks to your Honorable Board for the active interest manifested by you in all matters pertaining to the success of the Department, and I also desire to thank the officers and members of the Department, for the efficient manner in which they have performed their required duties. To His Honor, Mayor Schmitz, and the Honorable Board of Supervisors I also desire to express my thanks for the interest they have manifested in all matters pertaining to the Department.

To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters Fire Patrol and to Chief Hewitt of the Department of Electricity I am under many obligations for the friendly assistance given this Department whenever required.

Respectfully submitted,

D. T. SULLIVAN,
Chief Engineer, S. F. F. D.

1904 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

In view of the many petitions that have been received from property owners and residents of different portions of the city during the past year
for better fire protection, I desire to state in this connection that I consider the needs of the Sunnyside District to be the most urgent for the following reasons: The distance between Engine Companies Nos. 32 and 33 is fully three miles, and midway between them is this district, which is already considerably built up and rapidly growing, and principally with the homes of the working classes, and is now almost entirely without protection. An engine company located on the Department lot on San Jose avenue would afford the required protection.

Next in importance is the establishment of an engine company in the Richmond District between Nineteenth and Twenty-seventh avenues and Point Lobos avenue and Lake street. This district is also rapidly building up, and I would therefore recommend the erection of an engine-house on the Department lot on the west line of Twenty-sixth avenue, south of Point Lobos avenue, this being the only available engine lot in that locality and the establishing of a company there whenever practicable.

New houses are most urgently needed for Engine Companies 5, 9 and 24. These houses are in very bad condition, and entirely unfitted for the purposes for which they are intended, and should be replaced by more modern and substantial structures.

Since the establishment of the Department on a fully paid basis, under the Charter, and the consequent increase in the number of men continually on duty in the companies, many of the houses of the Department are lacking in proper accommodations for the men. More modern and commodious buildings, similar to those now occupied by Engine Companies 4, 35 and 38 should be provided.

I again call attention to the most urgent need of better fire protection for the valuable water-front property and the shipping interests, and in order that this might be accomplished a light-draught, high-power fire. boat, of good speed and large pumping capacity, should be provided. With such a boat, fully equipped and ever ready for duty, more efficient protection would be afforded this very important section of our city.

I would also recommend that the water supply throughout the city should be increased by the removal of all small and inadequate mains and replacing them with 8, 12, 16 and 24 inch mains in all those portions of the city that are not already supplied with mains of large and sufficient capacity, and that as many new hydrants be set in those districts that are not at present sufficiently provided therewith as the available funds of the Department will allow.

During the fiscal year just past many important and essential measures have been enacted by the municipality tending to lessen the fire risks, notably the extension of the fire limits and reducing the height of frame buildings, and also the ordinance providing for the construction of the ground-floor pipe casing holes, devised by this Department, for the use of circulators in cellar fires. But a matter of far greater import to this Department is the action taken whereby an appropriation was allowed for the preliminary work on my oft-repeated recommendation for a salt-water pipe system for our city.

Owing to the zealous efforts of your Honorable Board, considerable interest has of late been manifested in this proposed valuable and essential acquisition to our city, and the primary work will soon be commenced, and, and I trust, will be continued without abatement to a speedy completion.

In conclusion I desire to tender my sincere thanks to your Honorable Board for the active and untiring interest manifested by you in all matters
pertaining to the efficiency and advancement of the Department, and I also desire to express my thanks to the officers and members of the Department for the most commendable manner in which they have performed their required duties therein. To His Honor, Mayor Schmitz, and the Honorable Board of Supervisors and Honorable Board of Public Works. I also wish to express my thanks for the interest shown in and kind assistance rendered the Department.

To the Chief of Police and the members of the force, to Fire Marshal Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, and to Chief Hewitt I also desire to extend my thanks, in deep appreciation of the valuable assistance given this Department whenever required.

Respectfully submitted,

D. T. SULLIVAN,
Chief Engineer
San Francisco Fire Department

1905 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHIEF

The rapid growth of the Ashbury Heights District calls for the establishment of an engine company in that locality, I have hesitated in making this recommendation heretofore for the reason that the condition of the streets in that particular locality rendered it impossible for a company to perform the service which would be required of it and also because the greater need of other localities had not been met. The opening of Piedmont street, from Ashbury street to Masonic avenue, for which provision has been made in the budget of the present fiscal year. overcomes the first of these objections, and the provisions made for the establishing of companies at San Jose and Ocean avenues and on Presidio Heights removes the other. I would therefore recommend the purchase of a lot at or near the corner of Ashbury and Seventeenth streets, and that a brick engine house be erected thereon for the accommodation of a new engine company, The constantly increasing growth of Castro Heights, and the difficulty of access thereto by existing fire apparatus likewise demand consideration. As Engine Company No. 24 is located in a hollow and occupies an old shack that must soon be replaced in any event. I would therefore recommend that a lot be purchased in the vicinity of Castro and Hill streets and that a brick engine house be erected thereon for the accommodation of Engine Co. No. 24.

New houses are also badly needed for Engine Companies 5 and 9 and Truck Co. 5. The present structures occupied by these companies have stood for nearly forty years and are in a dilapidated condition. and the two latter houses are unsanitary- the sleeping quarters for the men being merely galleries built off the apparatus floor.

The continual extension of dockage facilities on the water front, occasioned by our increasing commerce with the world, renders the need of a fire boat that shall be such in fact as well as in name, greater than ever. The boats controlled by the State Board of Harbor Commissioners are built primarily for towing purposes, and have accordingly a greater draught than a fire boat should have, while the capacity of their pumps is much less than it should be, I would therefore recommend that a light draught, high power fire boat be provided at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter.

The Department would be greatly benefited by the acquisition of another drill tower to be located in the Western Addition and similar in construction to the two drill towers now in operation. This would enable the Department to be divided into three tower drill districts, and by thus reducing the amount of attendance at the now existing towers, allow more frequent attendance, and consequently more drill practice for the members, and at the same time lessen to a considerable extent the distance from their respective company quarters many of the members are now required to go for this purpose.

I have repeatedly recommended that the small and inadequate water mains in many streets be replaced by others of 8. 12 and 16 inches diameter, in order to permit the setting of needed hydrants, and that mains be extended to districts now entirely unprotected, but as the carrying out of these recommendations depends upon the will of a private corporation, very little has as yet been accomplished.

The inauguration of the Twin Peaks auxiliary salt water system, for which provision has been made in the budget, is a matter of the most vital import, and no effort should be spared to hasten the completion of this system at as early a day as possible. The inestimable value the acquisition of this plant will prove to the city will readily be realized upon its completion and operation, as not alone will it afford a sufficient water supply for all fire protection purposes, but the many other useful and needed purposes to which it can be applied will more than compensate this municipality for the cost, of the same. I would therefore again urge that there be no delay in commencing this undertaking, and sincerely trust that the close of the fiscal year we are now entering upon, will find it finally under way.

In conclusion, I desire to tender my sincere thanks to your Honorable Board for the active and untiring interest manifested by you in all matters pertaining to the efficiency and advancement of the Department, and I also desire to express my thanks to the officers and members of the Department for the most commendable manner in which they have performed their required duties therein. To His Honor, Mayor Schrnitz. and the Honorable Hoard of Supervisors and Honorable Board of Public Works I also wish to express my thanks for the interest shown in and assistance rendered this Department. To the Chief of Police and members of his force, to Fire Marshal Towe, to Captain Comstock of the Underwriters' Fire Patrol, and to Chief Hewitt of the Department of Electricity I also wish to extend my thanks in appreciation of the valuable assistance given this Department whenever required.

Respectfully submitted,
D. T. SULLIVAN,
Chief Engineer, S. F. F. D.

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