the round table
discussion of current fire department and fire management problems
Alerting and Dispatching Fire Companies
THIS IS THE THIRD installment of the Round Table on systems for alerting and dispatching fire companies.
Readers are invited to participate in the discussion which will be continued in the September issue. Address replies to Round Table Editor, FIRE ENGINEERING, 305 East 45th Street, New York 17, N. Y.
The Discussion
J. P. Newark, Chief, Grand Forks, N. Dak.: We have only two fire stations in operation at the present time, and both stations are connected on a special telephone line known as the “fire phone line” and listed as such. When someone calls on this line, it activates a relay, which in turn rings a large bell operated by 110-volt a.c. current. These bells ring simultaneously at both stations and can be heard in any part of the stations. In case of a silent alarm, the personnel are alerted when the local gong circuit of our fire alarm system is tapped to notify the police and water departments that we are responding to a fire call. Other routine calls are announced over a P.A. system.
We tried out horns on the telephone circuit for several months and by request from the men, we went back to the bells.
The volume of sound probably would have more bearing on the speed of response than the type of alarm device.
We do not have any data on the subject of heart attacks being caused by warning devices.
If a revamping were contemplated, we would discard all large gongs and bells and install small tapper bells in various parts of the station. These would be operated from the watch desk. Upon receiving a fire call, the man on watch would tap the bells to alert the personnel and then announce his message over the P.A. system.
Charles R. Dorman, Chief, Jamestown, N. Y.: We use bells for notification of alarms and prefer them to other means. At one time, we had a horn in one of our stations and removed it as the personnel thought it was more of a shock than the bell. As long as the device used is loud enough to be heard over other noises prevalent in stations, repair work, etc., I do not believe speed of response is affected by the type of device.
At the present time, we are installing station house receivers, which will be operated by selective call equipment. These will not supplant our regular bells but will be used as an adjunct to them. These receivers will be equipped with wall vibrators or klaxons, depending on
the type of station, to notify personnel the receiver has been put in service by selective call from the alarm office. This equipment will also be used in transferring calls to surrounding volunteer departments, or in calling them to assist with large fires within the city.
William M. Daly, Commissioner of Fire, Buffalo, N. Y.: We use a voice amplifier system with secondary confirmation on bell and tape.
We believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used.
There are no statistics available in our department to show the relationship between sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions.
We are more than satisfied with our present system and contemplate no changes.
Howard Dey, Chief, New Orleans, La.: In our department, we use the alerting tone on radio console for notifying personnel.
We favor the use of bells over other devices.
We do not believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used.
We believe there is a relationship between sudden, sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions and have several heart cases attributed to this source.
THIS MONTH’S QUESTIONS
What method is used to notify personnel in quarters of an alarm?
Do you favor the use of bells in preference to chimes, gongs, or horns?
Do you believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used for alerting firemen?
Is there any evidence available in your department to show a relationship between sudden, sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions? If so, will you briefly outline the nature of this?
If you were to revamp your present alerting system, what changes in equipment and procedures would you make?
We have changed from the old house gong to alerting tone on radio, such as: one-tone denotes one company response; two-tones denote box alarm, also extra alarms. This has worked out satisfactorily to date.
N. L. Wheeler, Chief, Miami, Fla.: We use a bell and light system of notification.
We favor the use of bells in preference to other methods.
We believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used for alerting personnel.
There is no evidence available in our department to show a relationship between sudden, sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions.
Glen J. Davis, Chief, Beloit, Wis.: Personnel are alerted by means of a fire alarm bell, using the telegraph key in the watch room, and by an intercom system.
In our department, we favor the use of bells.
We believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used for alerting personnel.
There is no evidence available in our department to indicate the relationship between sudden, sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions.
No changes are contemplated at the present time.
Cecil Lochard, Chief, Alhambra, Calif.: We use three fire alarm telegraph bells, followed by the location over the vocal alarm.
We believe bells are a more positive alert.
We believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used.
In our department, we do not know of any heart conditions being brought about as the result of sudden, sharp warning devices.
If changes were contemplated, we would use more 6-inch gongs in lieu of a few 10-inch gongs.
Sylvester E. Jennings, Chief, Bridgeport, Conn.: When an alarm of fire is received at fire alarm headquarters, the operators on duty press the key of the talk-alarm button with their hand to open the circuit for audio transmission of the voice alarm, and at the same time, press a foot control for the operation of the three-way radio. They then announce Signal 29, which means an alarm of fire is to be transmitted. Then the howler horn blows for about 10 seconds, followed by voice announcing a fire is reported at such an address, nature of fire, and number of box being transmitted. After voice transmission ends, box number for fire is set up on telegraph transmitter and sent over fire alarm telegraph to all houses.
The first indication of fire to the men in engine house is by voice amplification and backed up by horn and bell because men are awakened by voice signal 29 and horn and bell strike out box number.
The response is unquestionably speedier because all men hear the announcement of exact location of fire, nature of burning and material, or whatever other information is available.
For the past 20 years, we have been operating on a reduced shock system of transmission of alarms of fire.
If changes were contemplated, we would only modernize the electronic system equipment, with no recommendation for changes in method of transmiting an alarm. The lights in all engine houses are automatically switched on in bunk rooms and apparatus floors.
Frank S. Sandeman, Chief, Long Beach, Calif.: On any emergency alarm, we give a two or three-second tone signal over the public address system to signify an ultimate gong signal.
We favor the use of bells over other methods, providing a warning is given first to alert personnel.
It has been definitely proven during the 10 years this department has used the preceding tone signal, that faster response, more alert and relaxed personnel, and safer operations have been the result.
We have not compared records that would indicate a decrease in heart disease by using tone signals, but we do believe it to be a fact.
We do not have any recommended changes over our present system at this time.
C. N. Penn, Chief, Dallas, Tex.: We use a horn-like tone, which is sent through the public address receivers of the stations affected. This tone will ordinarily alert everyone. The watchman on duty sounds the house bells to further alert any sound sleepers.
A combination of horn and bells is our preference, rather than bells alone.
We believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used.
A great number of firemen will admit that a sudden awakening from a sound sleep causes their hearts to beat more rapidly. This is most noticeable in a multiple-company station when all are alerted and some remain at the station. Those who remain at the station, report their hearts beat very rapidly for a few minutes. While we have no record of anyone having suffered a heart attack at the time of the alert, it is reasonable to presume that an additional load is put on the heart.
Our system has just recently been revamped.
A. McMarsh, Chief, Columbia, S. C.: At the present time we have two methods of notifying personnel in quarters of an alarm. The gongs of the box system sound automatically in the dormitories when a box is pulled; a buzzer is sounded by the fire alarm operator for telephone and all other calls.
I would prefer to keep the gongs for box system and the buzzer for all other type alarms.
I do not believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used, for a person will awaken just as quickly by the sound of one device after he has become accustomed to it.
There is no evidence in our department to show any relationship between any type warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions.
Our present system was installed in 1950 and for the present, we do not intend to revamp it.
M. H. Sutton, Chief, Washington, D. C.: We use the following methods to notify personnel: Public address system on telephone calls received; public address followed by tape on box alarms received.
Our department favors the use of bells in preference to other methods.
We do believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used.
There is no evidence available in our department to show the relationship between sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions.
We have just recently changed from bell stroke to tone signal—approximately 400 cycle.
V. L. Crusinberry, Chief, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.: All stations are alerted by moderate bells and electro-magnetic switches to turn on the lights. Operation is from the central alarm operator. The address and direction is then given by telephone communication, except in headquarters, where we have a public address system.
We are using a moderate-toned bell. However, whatever type signalling device is used, I can see and realize that we must have it loud enough to alert the men, otherwise the speed of response will be lessened.
The medical profession warns us that any form of sudden shock is detrimental to the heart and that over a long span of years, many small shocks and startling incidents have an effect on the heart. We have toned down the bells in our department and it is our intention to equip all stations with public address communications. Of 10 deaths in this department, eight were from heart attack. We are involved in work that at its best causes tension and overexertion.
C. D. Sirmon, Chief, Mobile, Ala.: We use a 6-inch bell to notify personnel in quarters of an alarm.
We favor the use of bells in preference to other means.
Speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used. Due to the nature of fire department work, the alarm device should be loud enough to awake all personnel immediately, but not excessively loud.
There is very slight, if any, evidence available in our department to show a relationship between sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions.
A. A. Girard, Chief, Pocatello, Idaho: We use the telephone to notify personnel.
We favor the use of bells in preference to the other methods.
We believe the speed of response is affected by the type of alarm device used.
In our department, there is no evidence to show a relationship between sudden, sharp warning devices and the incidence of heart conditions.
