three counties column
Each month Richard Knight will feature an item from Three Counties Hospital from his collection of history and memorabilia . This month is Part 2 of a feature on the Three Counties Asylum Fire Brigade
In November 1897 The medical officer Dr Swain realised there were problems with the fire system so he called upon the expertise of commander Lionel Wells of the London fire brigade . It would be his job to send down an experienced officer to look at the asylum ’ s fire fighting appliances and give a full report with recommendations to himself and Dr Swain .
After the visiting officer completed his report on the asylums fire fighting capability , Commander Wells wrote a detailed report to Dr Swain , in his report dated December 1897 he stated :
“ All hoses and connections to be of one standard size , all hoses to be of sufficient length to combat a fire in the vicinity of the hydrant , hoses to be hung on the wall ready for immediate use , Bucket taps to be fitted to all indoor hydrants . A system of electrical call points be established and connected with the fireman ’ s room and central office .” He also reported that the old manual engine was in a bad way and should be dispensed with as the water arrangements appear to be adequate for the asylum .
It was noted that the chief Engineer had not been drilling the fire attendants on a regular basis , one of the biggest recommendations was to employ a full time experienced fireman who could constantly monitor and take care of all the fire appliances and of course be ready to take charge in the event of a fire . If the full time firemen were to be married then rooms must be provided with a pay of 30 / - ( shillings ) per week . If this is not an option it was recommended that an experienced fire officer attends the asylum for a few months to drill the men and make an efficient fire brigade for the institution . He also asked that the officer who attended the asylum be paid one guinea and be given his travelling expenses , commander Wells also mentioned that the officer also stated he is willing to drill the part time attendant firemen , service the equipment and cover his own travel expenses for £ 50.00 a year . The officer also recommended that all attendants and nurses should be trained in using the fire fighting appliances and would go as far as to recommend they all form part of the brigade , after all it would probably be a member of the nursing staff who would be first on hand to tackle a fire on the ward
After reading the report The visiting committee decided to leave on the internal water tower pressure at night for one month as an experiment , Commander Wells was also asked to send down an “ efficient ” man to drill the attendants once a fortnight for three months starting on January 1st 1898 at a cost of £ 2.00 per visit including expenses . Fire officer George Mills was chosen and sent down to drill the firemen
Four years later in 1901 it looks like the powers that be at TCA did not head all the recommendations of the fire officer . An inspection carried out by Captain Douglas Spong of the Biggleswade Fire Service found that a lot of the equipment in a dilapidated state and in some cases totally non-functional and inadequate . Leather hoses were so old they had perished and would not be able to withstand any prolonged high water pressure , Some of the hydrants were at an
unconventional angle and the water release valve was difficult to move , this would be hard for a female attendant to use especially as she would probably be the first person to notice and tackle the fire on her ward .
He also found that the hoses still had two different fittings , this he reported as unconventional and highly dangerous to the safety of the building as valuable time might be lost while trying to couple up the hoses during a fire-fight . He realised that to change all the fittings and equipment would be extremely expensive and difficult so to compromise the situation he recommended to change all the leather hoses in the asylum for the new modern canvas ones which are fitted with the “ Round Thread ”, special sockets could be supplied to take the round thread so that the large and small hoses could be coupled together in case of necessity .
The Fire Station itself was found to be a credit to the men who looked after it , everything was smart and clean in appearance . Mr Spong highly recommended that the attendants be supplied with a full uniform , this should consist of , Brass fire helmet , Tunic , Trousers , Belt , Axe , Boots , Spanner , and life line . It may have been thought by some that a uniform was not necessary , but as Mr Spong reported it is acknowledged by all who have experience in fire brigade work that it is a necessity . The uniform distinguishes those who are actually engaged in the work and materially assist the officer in charge in directing his men . The helmet is especially useful in being a great protection both to the head and neck .
The Merryweather Manual engine was put to work during the afternoon , this proved the engine was in good working order and well kept , the firemen went through the wet drill in a very credible manner .
The asylum minutes tell us that on Monday 25th November 1901 the committee took into consideration the report of captain Spong and after examining the fire extinguishing apparatus it was unanimously resolved to recommend to the visiting Committee that the following fire appliances be procured :
• New canvas hoses 2 inch fitted with the London round thread and gun metal couplings to be used throughout the interior of the asylum , it being estimated that about 60 lengths of 40 feet run would be required
• New canvas hose 2.5 inch with like fittings to replace the worn out hose at the fire station estimated at about six lengths of 60 feet .
• New globe valves , Metropolitan or similar pattern round thread with wheel cocks , cap and chain , estimated 55 in number .
• New branch pipes 1 foot long , 2 inches in diameter , estimated about 55
• Four gun metal sockets 2 inch to 2.5 inches
• About 60 spanners
• One dozen brass helmets , London fire brigade pattern
• One dozen belts and pouches
• One dozen axes
• One dozen lifelines
• One dozen bright spanners
• One dozen pairs of boots
• One dozen tunics and trouser material
Next month part 3 of the story on Three Counties Fire Brigade reveals the Merryweather Brass Fireman ’ s Helmet
16 on the button issue 48 August 2016 | 01462 834265 | steve @ onthebuttonarlesey . co . uk | www . on-the-button . co . uk