It must be a matter of congratulations to your honorables to know that the City has such a well behaved body of men as is in the present Fire Department which must be noticed by their conduct when called upon for the protection of the Citizen's property. As to the correctness of this statement, I will quote from a report laid before you by Alderman Anderson, Chairman of the Fire Committee, who was present at the testing of the hose on Thanksgiving Day. He states that he does not hesitate to say that the present Department is the best and most efficient that the City has ever had.

This year saw the Mutual Benefit Association formed for the relief of the members of the Department which provides a fund for the relief of its members who may unfortunately receive injuries at a fire, visited by sickness, or in the case of death nearly sufficient monies shall be given to cover funeral expenses. Already two members have needed sick benefits from the Association since its formation.

Andrew Lipsett
Fire Chief