990724

Rept of Fire Chief on Condition, etc. of Fire Dept

Communication From Chief Kellogg

Filed March 22nd 90

George J Stoneman

To the honorable [the?] board of fire commissioners

Gentlemen I have been requested to and think it proper that you should at this meeting of the board be informed as to the the material progress made in the equipment and efficiency of this department since its organization as a paid department in October 1889.

To go into written details that would be neccessary to give you a full understanding of the condition of the department would require a long review and would not prove so satisfactory as a personal inspection of the department houses their equipment and a general knowledge only to be gained by such personal inspection. Therefore I have concluded that in this report I will confine myself entirely to the conditions of this department up to a few weeks ago and to the present time. And in order to better inform you must go back to the date of the original organiazation. In October 1889 by an ordinance of the City Council the paid department was created and

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by the same Council I was elected its chief. In assuming such duties it was with a perfect knowledge of its responsiblities and the difficulties to be overcome before order and discipline could be evolved from out the chaotic condition of the department as I found it. The entire department was huddled together in a tent with no rules no regulations no head

My first duty was to select the force authorized by ordinance.

With a view of getting men with the neccessary experience I caused to be published a notice in the City papers that applications for positions would be received, giving the preference to the members of the old volunteer organization, stating that all differences that might at one time have existed so far as I was concerned were forgotten and forever buried. A large majority of the force selected were members of the old department nor was any application from a volunteer fireman rejected and special efforts were made to prevail upon others to make

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application. As a result over one third of the present department is composed of old volunteers.

From time to time the apparatus of the department has been added to neccessitating an additional force of men meantime the old volunteers were not forgotten but to the present moment have had my earnest support.

Many changes have [accumd?] in its membership by reason of voluntary resignation expulsion for insurbordination and intoxication. Meantime the increased efficacy of the department was being looked to and keeping pace with its increase of force and apparatus strict rules for the [government?] of the department were formulated and enforced and from the chaotic order of things as I found [there?] was developed a department systemetized and equipped and whose whole pride was to see who would best work and best succeed.

While undoubtedly their have been dislikes entertained by the men against their officers not to such

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an extent as to interfere with the prompt compliance to orders [firm?]. To produce this result has been no small task.

Every member of the department has been [firm?] to understand that in matters practical religious or social he was his own Master.

No solicitation or intimidation to effect his vote or action has been permitted or would be tolerated but that he must devote his whole time and best energies to the service. No man has ever become a member of or lost his membership in this department by reason of his political or sectarian belief. It was not known [inquired?] into or [cared?] for.

This now brings me to the time when the [fire?] Commissioner under the new charter assumed the charge of the department. They commenced where I left off and by introducing new rules and regulations making more specific each mans duty and I fully believe carrying out the non partisan policy inaugurated