The extraordinary strides of Elizabeth City’s fire department in less than two years, under the Fire Commission plan, from $20,000 worth of less efficient equipment in 1921 to more than $40,000 worth at the present time is a story worth telling, inasmuch as it shows what the fire fighters of Elizabeth City have been doing under handicaps.
Elizabeth City’s Fire Commission plan was authorized in 1921 by special act of the Legislature sponsored by the Merchants Association, and later the Chamber of Commerce. The Fire Commission is composed of three men, one selected from the Merchants’ Association, one from the Chamber of Commerce, and one from the Fire Department itself. The first Fire Commission board appointed for Elizabeth City early in 1921 was composed the following men, their terms for four, three and two years respectively, J.C. Sawyer, chairman; M.G. Morrisette and L.R. Foreman. Later when Mr. Foreman was elected to the Board of Aldermen, Miles Clark was appointed to fill his place, and these three, Sawyer, Morrisette and Clark, constitute the board as it stands to-day.
How the Fire Commission came about is interesting. The Fire Department had experienced considerable trouble in getting things done by a slow moving Board of aldermen. There was always something badly needed, the lack of which meant a handicap in fighting fires. The fire chief would take his troubles to the board, and after the members had debated the matter among themselves, they usually passed the buck to a committee, and often the motion was forgotten.
In the winter of 1920-21, the firemen were brought up short-handed against three of the biggest fires in the history of the department. There was the $75,000 fire of the Foreman-Derrickson Veneering Company, the $25,000 fire of the Kramer-Moss Company, and the $70,000 fire of the Siff Building, which occupied the Savings Bank & Trust Company.
These fires taught Elizabeth City the need of more effective equipment. Chief Flora at that time took the matter before the Merchants’ Association. The merchants were interested in seeing the city got better equipment. Their property was at risk. And so legislation was initiated authorizing a Fire Commission.
Works Without Hitches
The Fire Department and its business no longer bothers the Board of Aldermen, or the city executives. All these troubles now go to the Fire Commission, which meets once a month or oftener if necessary. The members receive $2 for each monthly meeting, but they do not keep it. They use this money for an occasional banquet for the firemen.
In 1921, when the Fire Commissioners took hold the work, the company had only 40,000 feet of hose, the type-75 triple pumper of 750 gallon capacity per minute, one type-?? electrical, hose and ladder truck, one tanker? of 750-gallon capacity, one horse-drawn hook and ladder truck, and only 125 feet of ladders, 20 years older or more.
Compare this list with the present equipment of two type-75 750 gallon pumpers; two type-10 combination motor driven hook and ladder and chemical truck, carrying 235 feet of ladders ranging form a 50-foot extension ladder to a 12-foot roof ??; 70,000 feet of hose; and $500 ?? of hose holders, gas masks, electric torches, cut-off, etc. In addition to many incidental things, the company has bought, it has refitted ?? former pumpers with new tires. Now it is erecting a $1,400 addition to the present fire engine ??, to make room for a new pumper recently bought.
Another thing that is to be done for the firemen has been supported by subscription to by the Kiwanis Club. This is a plan to spend $4,000 in remodeling the firemen’s headquarters and make it livable for the boys. A large amount of this money has been raised.
The improvements made by the Fire Commission have not called for more than 10 cents on the $100 worth of property in the city. The Commission is empowered to levy up ?? if it is necessary.
From The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1922
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