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Little was accomplished in the way of getting new equipment, as far as any information can be found, until the 1951. On January 23, 1951 the Mendham Township Fire Engine Committee consisting of Chairman B. C. Bellows, Raymond Woodhull, Frank Flemming, Edward Roessler, C. E. Leonard, and Robert White gave the Township Committee a report of with some preliminary conclusions. This committee recommended that both the Brookside Engine Company and the Ralston Company be equipped with a pumper, capable of supplying two 5/8 inch nozzles, each at the end of 200 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose, fed from a wye at the end of 1500 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose. It further recommended the acquisition of a tank truck, with 800 to 1000 gallon capacity of supplying one 11/2 inch hose and capable of refilling the tank at a rate of 200 gallons per minute. With this equipment either company would have the capacity to provide at least one stream on any fire within 200 feet of any passable road or driveway, immediately upon arrival, regardless of water source. The two companies by alternating tank trucks could keep this up indefinitely. In Ralston at this time, of 137 houses counted, 42 houses were more than 1000 feet from water. Independently either company would have the capability of providing two streams on any fire within 1500 feet of a water source, as soon as hose was run. Together, the two companies could provide two streams on any fire within 3000 feet of a water supply, or four streams within 1500 feet, as soon as hose was run. The annual cost for engines and tank trucks, assuming a 20-year life, and based on the then current costs amounted to approximately $2,200. This amounted to about $0.15 per $100.00 valuation per year. The savings in fire insurance for those within the required distance of approved water supply amounted to approximately $0.15 per $100.00 of insured valuation, or $0.12 per $100 of assessed valuation. In addition it was estimated hose, boots, raincoats, gas masks, etc., would be needed at an annual rate of approximately $1,000. The immediate needs set forth by the committee were felt to be the following: 1. The class E (protected) rating of those parts of the township having an approved water supply is in jeopardy because the Brookside pumper failed its pumping tests made as far back as 1939. The engine in service was in very poor shape, and actually failed at the Mount Freedom Hotel fire the summer of 1950. It was 22 years old. According to Mr. H. R. Bogardus, of the Fire Rating Organization, it was insufficiently powered when it was new. 2. For those beyond the reach of the pumpers, only the Brookside tank truck with 800 gallons of water was of any appreciable use. The Brookside pumper carried 100 gallons and the Ralston pumper 75 gallons. The results achieved with the Brookside tank truck were estimated as: Value of property saved ……………………… $60,000.00
Value of property lost, which might have been saved if more water had been at hand when the truck ran dry ………………….. . $15,000.00
3. The supply situation on chassis suitable for fire engine use was getting critical. Prices were rising sharply and government restrictions were being imposed on the use of critical materials. It was felt the government might place priorities on fire fighting equipment. Action was requested so that the township might save money, avoid red tape and delay in obtaining a priority.
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