Fire Prevention
32:1 FIRE LOSS
LAKEWOOD PRESS July 4,1918
(Reduction of Insurance Rates Sought)
Lakewood’s fire loss is only 59 cents annually per $1,000 valuation of real estate. The fire loss of Cleveland last year was $2.32 per $1,000. It is claimed that Lakewood has the smallest fire loss of any city in the United States and members of the Chamber of Commerce will undertake to call the attention of the insurance men to this condition and to demand a lower rate of insurance, based on these figures.
One reason for the low fire loss is the absence of dangerous congested districts, factories and tenement houses. But much credit is given also the excellence of the building construction in the city and the adequate fire protection given by the Lakewood fire department with its modern motor equipment.
At a meeting of the trustees of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce held Tuesday night this committee was appointed to bring the question of the Lakewood insurance inspection board: Judge Willis Vickery, W.C. Saunders, E.G. Guthrie.
32:2 FIRE LOSS KEPT LOW
Source unknown.
Annual Report of Chief Shows Effectiveness of Work Done
Lakewood had 282 fire alarms during the year 1919 according to the report of Fire Chief J.H. Speddy which has just been made public.
This is an average of more than five fires per week.
In all but one case the work of the Lakewood fire department was so effective that the blaze was confined to the building of its origin, and in the single exception the damage to the adjoining building was only $10, which is a remarkable showing.
The total property loss from fire during the year in the city was $214,831, which is less than one per cent of the total value of the property which was on fire during the year, showing that the fire department saved more than 99 per cent of the endangered buildings, to say nothing of adjoining structures, another exceptionally fine record.
The report in detail is as follows:
Total number of time apparatus left quarters, 291.
Total number of fire alarms, 282.
Total number of Emergency calls, 31.
Total number of of Inspection, 10.
Total number of False or Unnecessary calls, 51.
Total number of Fires in frame 82; brick, 17; reinforced concrete 0; fireproof steel frame, 0; ironclad, 0; concrete block, 0; unclassified, 25; other than building fires, 107.
To adjoining building, 1.
Confined to floor or origin, 230.
Out on arrival, 17.
Citizens or employes, 15.
Auto sprinkler, 2.
1 inch line, 2150.
Chemicals, 45.
Hydrant streams, 21.
Beyond adjoining building, 0.
Confined to building, 230.
6 or 3 gallon tanks, 98-3, 3-6.
35 gallon tanks, 22.
Number lines laid, 66.
Number feet hose, 25,800.
Number feet ladder, 1178.
Hours engine worked 94 3-4.
Engines streams, 45.
Total value of property involved, $28,376,010.00.
Total insurance on property involved, $19,156,900.00.
Total loss on property involved, $214,831.00.
Total insurance loss, $197,370.00
Total losses where fire originated, $214,821.00
Total losses adjoining property, $10.00.
Chief's car responded to 191 calls.
Peerless chemical, 114 calls.
Engine Number 1, 109 calls.
Engine Number 2, 158 calls.
Engine Number 3, 6 calls.
Engine Number 4, 78 calls.
Hook and ladder Number 1, 200 calls.
32:3 FIRE CHIEF SPEDDY REPORTS VERY LOW FIRE LOSS FOR LAKEWOOD IN PAST YEAR
1923
Fire Chief J.H. Speddy of Lakewood has filed his annual report with the National Fire Board Underwriters, showing building and fire conditions in this city in the past year. At the outset, he estimates the population at 40,000; a conservative and fair estimate. The area is six and a half square miles, no extensions in boundaries having been made in the past year. There are a total of 8,233 buildings in the city, as follows: Frame, 2,459; brick and stone, 649; concrete block, 19, reinforced concrete, 1; fireproof steel, 3; ironclad. 6; not classified. 281.
There were a total of 281 fire alarms turned in, of which 68 were false or unnecessary. There were fires in these buildings: Frame, 67; brick and stone, 19; concrete block, 1; not classified, 25; other than building fires, 101. All these fires were confined to the building or place of origin, none extending to adjoining buildings. Of these fires, 192 were confined to the floor on which the fire originated.
The total value of property involved in the fires as $6,545,410; contents, $10,140,000; total, $16,685,410. The total insurance thereon was $11,727,450. The total insurance was $33,680. The total loss was $40,300.
32:4 FIRE LOSS FOR 1923 IS ONLY $19,566
Chief Speddy's Report Shows Less Than One-tenth of Cent Burns of Every Dollar Ignited
Fire loss in Lakewood in 1923 was at the remarkable low total of $19,556, or less than 40 cents per capita, it is revealed in the annual report of Fire Chief J.H. Speddy, made public this week.
Property involved in fires extinguished by the department aggregated in value $26,310,615, so the loss was less than one-tenth of a cent for each dollar of property endangered. Only $2 of loss occurred beyond the place of origin of fires.
The total number of fires was 340, a new high record.
The chief's report is as follows:
Total number of times apparatus left quarters,
377.
Total number of fire alarms
340
Total number of emergency calls,
32
Total number of inspections
284
Total number of suburban calls
6
Total number of false alarms
12
Building fires: Frame 145, brick 30, ironclad 0, re-enforced concrete 1, fireproof steel frame 2, concrete block 1.
Other than building fires: Auto fires 22, grass 104, dump 4, fence 16, bridge 0, car 1, lumber 1, pole, 1.
Fires confined to origin, 327. Confined to building, 327. Extended to adjoining building, 1. Beyond adjoining building, 0.
Fires out on arrival, 2. Put out by citizens or employees, 0. By automatic sprinklers, 0. Number of six or three gallon tanks used, 48-3, 6-9. 35 gallon tanks used, 29. Number of lines of hose laid, 77. 1 inch line, 3,350 feet. 21/2 inch line, 27,550 feet. Number of feet of laddder used, 1,005.
Number of fires extinguished by chemicals, 72. Number of hydrant streams thrown, 32. Number of engine streams, 28. Hours engine worked, 42 1/4.
Property involved: Buildings, $11,098,145; contents $15,212,470; total $26,310,615.
Insurance on same: Buildings, $6,716,300; contents, $9,944,850; total, $16,661,150.
Total loss on same: Buildings, $11,856; contents, $7,700; total $19,556.
Total loss point of origination, $19,554.
Total loss adjoining, $2.
Runs: Engine Co. No. 1 296, Engine Co. No. 2 108, Engine Co. No. 3 2, Engine Co. No. 4 0, Truck C. No. 1 190, chief's car 152, Ford 17.
32:5 LAKEWOOD IS NAMED BEST IN ANTIFIRE WORK
SUN NEWS April 3, 1931
Wins Grand Prize in Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contest; First City in Country Under 500,000 in Size to Gain This Recognition; Lauded for Record
By R.E. Porter
Lakewood conducted the most effective program of fire prevention work in the entire nation in 1930, the United States Chamber of Commerce decided last Friday.
Competing against over 700 cities of the country, varying in size from a few thousand to a few millions, Lakewood carried away the grand prize in the 1930 Inter-Chamber Fire Waste contest.
Lakewood also won first place in its own division for cities between 50,000 and 100,000 in population.
Winners in other divisions were: First Philadelphia; second, Rochester; third, Grand Rapids; fourth Lakewood; fifth Mishawaka, Ind., and sixth, Albany, Ga.
Lakewood won this signal honor because the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce submitted a 1,500 page report, because Fire Chief Joseph Speddy and his department had done an efficient piece of work throughout the year, because the schools cooperation with an active fire prevention program, and because Mayor E.A. Wiegand lent complete support of all governmental facilities.
This is the first time in the history of this national contest that a city under 500,000 in population has won the grand prize.
The Chamber of Commerce committee which organized the campaign during the year was headed by Walter B. Parsons, branch manager and vice president of the Cleveland Trust company.
The title to the silver trophy came after a remarkable up-hill fight in the face of almost impossible odds. There was the handicap of competing with large cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit and others which won the grand prize in past years. The little know story of the struggle to rank the highest in fire prevention seems dramatic. Big city superiority was an inferiority complex to the average small city.
By winning the grand trophy, it also won first honors among Chambers of Commerce in Class 4 cities with population ranging between 50,000 and 100,000. This is the third consecutive year the Lakewood Chamber has won first rank in its own class.
A delegation of officers and members of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce will journey to Atlantic City to receive the prized trophy at the nineteenth annual meeting of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In the presence of more than three thousand of the nation's captains of industry, commerce, and finance the accomplishments of the Lakewood Chamber in the field of fire prevention will be duly rewarded.
The story of the fight to put the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce ahead of all other cities dates back to the Good Will tour last May when twenty-five Lakewood business men journeyed to Washington to receive the 1929 Class 4 trophy. There they saw Philadelphia receiving the plaudits as a grand prize winner. Although Lakewood "stole the show" when it presented the largest individual delegation of any Chamber of Commerce at the annual meeting of the National Chamber of Commerce they were not satisfied. They sought more. They contended that nothing but the first honors were good enough for Lakewood.
The Fire Prevention committee was reorganized. Then they organized the observance of Fire Prevention Week last October, which was termed as the best and most thorough observance ever carried out in Lakewood.
The Wester Actuarial bureau of Chicago contributed the services of "Smoky" Rogers who helped to carry the lesson preventing fires to hundreds and thousands of Lakewood school children. The week was replete with fire drills, talks on fire prevention by members of the fire department at the schools, talks and a great amount of educational matter presented to the clubs, organizations and churches.
The three volume report submitted in the fire waste contest, containing more than 1500 pages, was compiled in the offices of the Chamber of Commerce under the direction of the Fire Prevention Committee. Valuable assistance and encouragement was given the committee by Virgil Souders, local Representative of the Ohio Prevention association.
The report covered in minute detail the following subjects:
1. Population growth in Lakewood.
2. Fire Loss Statistics.
3. Fire Prevention Week.
4. Clean-Up Campaigns.
5. Fire Prevention Instruction in Schools.
6. Fire Prevention Training in Scout Troops.
7. Activities in Clubs and Organizations.
8. Fire Department Activities.
9. Investigation of Fire Causes.
10. Fire Prevention Legislation.
11. Other Fire Prevention Educational Activities.
12. Good Will Tour to Washington.
13. Improvements in Public Water Supply System.
14. Organization of Fire Department.
15. Fire Alarm System.
16. Rubbish Incinerator Under Construction.
The committee of the Chamber has expressed the opinion that due credit in assisting in carrying on the program for the prevention of fires is due to Superintendent of Schools Julius E. Warren, the parochial schools, Mayor E.A. Wiegand, Fire Chief J.H. Speddy and members of the fire department and many others, as well as the newspapers.
32:6 FIRE PREVENTION AWARDS
AMERICAN CITY, May 1931 Pg. 122-123
Preventing fires has cast off the swaddling clothes of an experiment. In almost every city and town in the United States it has become an accepted method of reducing fire losses. It has become so practical that business men and citizens now see that fire prevention means the saving of life and thousands or millions of dollars of property from destruction.
Lakewood has reached such a point in this work that its citizens may be said to have become "fire prevention conscious." The Lakewood program is unique in that it has been based largely on educating school children to be "fire cautious."
It has been found out that greater results can be obtained with parents by having their children carry home fire prevention ideas than by attempting to educate the parents directly. When little Johnny takes home an inspection blank from the teacher, his mother and father help him fill it out, answering questions as to whether there are any fire hazards in his home. Thus the parents and other members of the family are educated in the value of using more precaution in the prevention of fires.
The School Program
In the first eight grades of the public and parochial schools, at least once a week throughout the school year, teachers in each class are provided with an instructive lesson sheet which contains fire prevention information. The children are encouraged to write essays, verses, original playlets and songs and to draw posters on the general subject of fire prevention. Some original work is constantly being done by these students throughout the school year.
At least once a month and sometimes more often, fire drills are held under the supervision of the Lakewood Fire Department, and a careful record is made of the time that it requires all the students to make an exit from each school building. These are compared and a standard is set up for each school.
During National Fire Prevention Week special programs and mass meetings of students are held in all the schools, at which fire prevention demonstrations are made by members of the Fire Department and other officials. Of course the program of this week is always planned to be the high point in fire prevention activities, and the students look forward to it each year with increasing interest.
From time to time classes of students are taken to the nearest fire station, where they are at first hand the inner workings of the Fire Department.
Prevention in the House
Throughout the year special emphasis is placed on the use of naphtha and other highly inflammable cleaning fluids, and in keeping clean the basements, closets, and attics in the home of the students. It is not an unusual occurrence for a girl to go home from school and tell her daddy that he must clean the flues in the spring.
"Daddy, the teacher said that we should not have any piles of waste paper in our basement," and
"Mother, the teacher said you shouldn't keep your oily dust mop in the house."
"Where shall I keep it, daughter?" the mother may ask.
"Well, the teacher said you should keep your dust mop out on the porch, or if it must be kept in the house, it must be placed in a bucket, so it will not catch on fire."
Lakewood's Record
The wisdom of these methods is shown by the fact that the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce won the Class 4 Award in the Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contest for the years 1928 and 1929 by presenting the best report of fire prevention accomplishments in its class of cities, ranging in population from 50,000 to 100,000. In 1930 its report won not only the Class 4 Award but also the Grand Prize for all classes of cities in the United States.
The effectiveness of the Lakewood program in preventing fires is indicated by the following record of fire losses:
Year
Property Loss
Loss per Capita
1924
$62,141
$1.13
1925
24,207
.42
1926
24,101
.39
1927
29,754
.48
1928
28,611
.42
1929
65,392
.93
1930
18,668
.26
The Lakewood program does not in any way overlook the valuable work that can be done by clubs, churches and other organization in the city. This work has been most exacting and thorough.
Inspection and Publicity
Inspection of all business buildings as well as apartments is conducted monthly by the local Fire Department. A detailed record is made and building owners are urged to comply with recommendations in eliminating fire hazards. Prevention of fires has become so widely accepted in Lakewood that compulsion is a rarity. Enforcement of recommendations when elimination of fire hazards is not voluntary, is the responsibility of the City Building Department.
The Fire Prevention Committee acts as a clearing house agency in encouraging the various clubs and agencies to carry on fire prevention activities. It is composed of citizens in several walks of life and officials of the schools and Fire Department.
A very important part in the Lakewood program is the amount of publicity given to the prevention of fires. The idea of preventing fires by elimination all opportunities for them to get started is kept frequently before the public by means of newspaper articles calling attention to dangerous hazards.
The City Building Code, which was adopted in 1921, is now in process of revision. A committee of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce has been cooperating with the City Council in bringing the Code up to date in accordance with the new standard specifications of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
The recent action of the city government in starting the construction of an incinerator is considered an important forward step in fire prevention. This will provide means for burning combustible rubbish which accumulate in homes and buildings and often causes dangerous and costly fires.
The delegation of twenty-one business men who journeyed to Washington in May, 1930, to receive the Class 4 Award was an effective means of publicity. It helped to direct the attention of Lakewood citizens to the importance of fire prevention. A similar party of fifty Lakewood citizens this year will make the trip to Atlantic City to receive the Grand Award at the 19th annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the united States (about to convene as this issue of The American City is being printed).
The Lakewood Fire Department under Chief J.H. Speddy in 1930 played a most important role in the organization and sponsoring of the first Ohio Fire School at Ohio State University. The Department put on all the demonstration during the school.
These are only a part of the activities of the Lakewood program; to mention and describe them all would take more space than has been allotted to this discussion.
In carrying out a fire prevention program, active cooperation must always be received from the mayor, city council, fire department, and officials of the public and parochial schools. To obtain such cooperation, these officials must be shown the importance of educating the citizens in the value of fire prevention. Here is an opportunity for important public service by chambers of commerce.
By Russell Frey
Executive Secretary
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
Lakewood, Ohio.
32:7 AWARDS
STORY OF LAKEWOOD -- E.G. Lindstrom
Pg. 55-56
The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce acting as a clearing house for fire prevention activities, received first award in the Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contest for its class of cities between 50,000 and 100,444 population, and two years it won the grand prize for all classes of cities. The contest i sponsored by the United States Chamber of Commerce. This record is based in part on the effective work of the fire department, public and parochial schools, and the many clubs, churches and organizations.
The late Chief Speddy was responsible for the building up of the fire department to its present efficiency.
The National Board of Fire Underwriters in 1934 placed the average annual per capita loss for the preceding five years at 47 cents with the notation "a very low figure."
Three disastrous fires in the five year period prior to 1922 had given Lakewood "a very high figure" of $4.31 per capita average. Those fires and losses were:
Edgewater Lumber and Supply Company, West 117th Street at the Nickel Plate Railroad, December 5, 1919, $200,000 loss.
Theodore Kundtz Lumber Company, Clifton and Giel Avenue, May 22, 1920, $400,000 loss.
Mathews Manufacturing Company (cabinet and furniture makers) Sloan and Mathews Avenues, $200,000, loss.
32:8 LAKEWOOD BRINGS BACK HIGHEST FIRE WASTE PRIZE
LAKEWOOD COURIER July 30, 1931
Lakewood this week flashed again into national prominence when its delegation of 22 business men received the country's highest award-the grand prize for 1930 in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce fire waste contest-at Atlantic City Tuesday.
The award, a large silver plaque, was presented by W.H. Sawyer, vice president of the national chamber, and received by R.B. Robinette, former president of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and member of the Lakewood organization.
In accepting the award in behalf of the delegation, Robinette declared that the Lakewood showing was due to the high degree of co-operation shown the chamber's fire prevention committee by city officials, the fire department, civic and service clubs, and the public and parochial schools.
Lakewood won the distinction of having the lowest per capita fire loss for 1930 of any city in the country in its population class. The loss here was 26 cents per capita, reported to be one-tenth of the average of 700 cities in the 70,000 population class.
The group left Lakewood by bus early Sunday morning and visited a score of cities on the way to Atlantic City, spreading good will for the city. Some of the cities visited were Youngstown, Warren, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Chambersburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Gettysburg and Atlantic City.
Members of the Lakewood good will tour delegation returned to the city Wednesday evening.
Those making the trip were: R.B. Robinette, Dr. R.B. Crawford, president of Lakewood Chamber of Commerce; Russell Frey, secretary of the chamber; Roy Daniels, Mayor E.A. Wiegand, Fire Chief Joseph H. Speddy, Council President James Gormsen, George Cherry, Walter Parsons, chairman of the fire prevention committee of Lakewood Chamber of Commerce; L.D. Shoemaker, George Barr, William Theuer, V.W. Souders, L.C. Cory, H.W. Weitzman, William Steinkamp, F.J. Cronk, C.G. Burton, Frank Haynes, Dr. E.E. Alexander, C.A. Gordon, W.R. Bossinger and Cluade Bennett.
32:9 LAKEWOOD RANKS HIGH IN FIRE-PREVENTION
LAKEWOOD COURIER - January 5, 1933
Pg. 1
Lakewood ranked among the first seven cities of the nation, all having a rating of 90 per cent or better, in reports of Fire Prevention Week, which were submitted to the National Fire Protection Association in December, it was announced today.
Lakewood ranked first in cities of Ohio, leading Cincinnati, Cleveland and Elyria, which were rated in order named, it was announced.
The reports submitted were for Fire Prevention Week only but will aid the city in its fight to lead in the fire waste contest sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Winners of the year's contest will be announced in April.
The fire loss report for the year 1932 was not completed at edition time but it was estimated that the loss will be less than $1,500, a new low. The lowest previous loss was $19,000 in 1932.
It was pointed out that a low fire loss does not promise a high standing in the national rating as prevention work is the most important factor on which cities are judged.
32:10 FIRE LOSSES REDUCED
LAKEWOOD COURIER - June 15, 1933
Pg. 1
June may be a month of brides in some places but it's a month of low fire losses in Lakewood, that is, it was until this year. Last June Lakewood’s 70,000 residents lost only $6 by fire, which is a record according to Fire Chief Charles A. Delaney.
A brief sifting of the ashes shows that the Lakewood fire chief and his three years national champions have given the city a new deal in 1933 with a fire loss of only $3,482 for the first five and a half months, as compared with slightly less than $8,000 for the first half of 1932. Last year's total loss, however, was only $10,477, which leaves a last half record which calls for extreme vigilance, the chief states.
Hopped up over the prospects of a "fire wave" in Lakewood for the next six months, based on the $43 loss this month, a reporter started a house to house campaign to find out what Lakewoodites would do in case their houses caught fire. The result is, most of the housewives are ready on a moments notice to save the baby and the bird cage, while the men are all set to grab the iced beer and their gold clubs.
"What's more important," the chief says, "is to call the fire department before you grab anything."
32:11 FIRE AWARD GIVEN TO LAKEWOOD AGAIN
SUBURBAN NEWS AND HERALD March 30, 1934
City Wins Prize for Sixth Consecutive Year
For the sixth consecutive year Lakewood today became the recipient of the first prize for fire prevention among cities in the 60,000 to 100,000 population class.
At the same time, the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce was notified that the suburb had won for the second time first prize among all cities in the country in fire prevention.
The awards are made by the National Chamber of Commerce and the actual presentation will be made in Washington, D.C., around April 1. Lakewood’s fire loss last year was $4,964.50. It won the grand award for the first time in 1930.
32:12 RETURN WITH NATIONAL FIRE AWARD
LAKEWOOD POST May 4, 1934
GOODWILL TOUR GETS HONORS FROM U.S. CHAMBER
24 TRAVEL ON BUS
CITY IS PLACQUE WINNER SIXTH TIME; GIVEN OVATION
Home came 24 Lakewood business men and officials Wednesday night, after receiving number one national chamber of commerce fire award.
Tired were these business men and officials, after completing a two way bus trip to the national capital, receiving honors, visiting historical spots, within a span of three days.
The local contingent pulled away from the Lakewood chamber of commerce at 6:30 Monday morning - rode 'till 9 o'clock that night. Reports indicate that many did not reach sheeted rest for some ours later.
Honors were passed around at noon luncheon Tuesday in the Willard hotel. - first session of the annual meeting of the United States chamber of commerce. About 1,000 attended.
ALL WORE BOUTONIERES
The local representatives were a contingent apart - each with a white flower in his lapel - a touch furnished by "Chris" Winterish, florist on the expedition.
T.D. Auble, president of the Lakewood chamber, received the grand award from H.L. Harriman, president of the national chamber, following the luncheon. On a call from Mr. Harriman, the local delegates arose and received a round of applause.
Mr. Auble introduced Mayor Amos Kauffman, Fire Chief Delaney and Past Chamber President Roy Daniels to the gathering, spoke of activities in this city which have won the national award for cities of its class six times, the grand award twice.
Following the luncheon, the crusade of the white flower commandeered a sight seeing bus and visited Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, numerous government buildings.
Return to Lakewood began the following morning at 7 o'clock - arrived home at 9:30 that night.
But one accident - or near accident - marked the many bus miles. A rear tire punctured;, was not noticed for quite some time. When discovered, it had grown so hot that the inner tube melted. A small fire also developed on the back wheel, but after some conference the fire brigade determined to allow it to burn itself out. Once burned there was little chance of it burning a second time.
32:13 LAKEWOOD AGAIN WINDS FIRE AWARD
SUBURBAN NEWS & HERALD April 3, 1936
NAMED BEST CITY AGAIN IN CLASS 4
LAKEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TELEGRAMMED JOYOUS NEWS FROM WASHINGTON; WIN EIGHTH TIME IN ROW
The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is in receipt of a telegram from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, March 27 to the effect that Lakewood has been awarded first place in its class of cities from 50,000 to 100,000 population based upon its report of fire prevention activities for the year 1935. This is the eighth consecutive year that Lakewood has won its class award.
In two years, 1931 and 1933 its report was good enough to win the grand prize for all classes. In this contest Atlanta, Georgia, is the recipient of the Grand Award. The contest winners in the other class of cities are:
Class 1 - Philadelphia
Class 2 - Atlanta, Georgia
Class 3 - Hartford, Conn.
Class 4 - Lakewood, Ohio
Class 5 - Parkersburg, West Va.
Class 6 - Geneva, New York
The Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contest is sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The contest reports of competing cities are based approximately 35 per cent on fire loss record and 65 per cent on fire prevention activities carried on in the churches, schools, clubs and organizations.
A voluminous report of almost 400 pages of fire prevention activities was compiled by the Fire Prevention Committee of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. It was on this report that the Lakewood award was won.
32:14 FIRE AWARD WON AGAIN
SUBURBAN NEWS AND HERALD, April 9, 1937
Lakewood Takes Honors In Contest for Ninth Consecutive Year
The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce announced this week that this is the 9th consecutive year that Lakewood has won the Fire Waste Contest award. O.F. Gibbs, committee chairman, wishes to make the following statement:
"We feel that we are extremely fortunate in having Lakewood win again in the National Fire Waste Contest. We have known for the last several years that competition among the first five or ten cities is becoming more keen and that the margin between Lakewood and other cities in its class has been growing more narrow. In order for a winning city to repeart, it not only must show a record that is better than other cities in its class, but its record also must surpass that of previous years," Mr. Gibbs said.
Mr. Gibbs stated that no one person or group could be credited with the success of Lakewood in fire prevention, although he wished to give special credit to Fire Chief C.A. Delaney, George A. Bowman, Superintendent of Schools and Mayor A.I. Kauffman and many others.
32:15 LAKEWOOD WILL TRY TO WIN FIRE AWARD AGAIN
SUBURBAN NEWS AND HERALD October 1, 1937
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Other Civic Organizations Join in Campaign to Gain Coveted Honors for Tenth Straight Year; Kauffman Honorary Marshall of Parade Wherein Many Merchants Will Partake
By Dale M. Riley
With the slogan "LET'S MAKE IT TEN" plans for the mammoth parade on Friday evening, October 8, to climax Lakewood’s part in National Fire Prevention Week moved towards completion today. Sponsoring this new idea is the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce under the guidance of President Harvey Yoder and Secretary V.A. Rowley.
Col. J.D. Polley has accepted the Chairmanship of the parade. While the Vice-Chairman will be Capt. J.P. Geiger. Col. Polley has had extensive experience in the conduct of large parades, having been the Chief Regulating Officer in charge of the American Legion National Convention parade in Cleveland in 1936. This parade which required 11 1/2 hours in which to pass a given point and was participated in by over 90,000 paraders was the largest American Legion parade in history until the "boys" held their grand mach up 5th Avenue in New York City this year.
Strong point of Lakewood’s celebration is the fact that Lakewood has won the National Fire Award for the pat nine years as the city having the lowest fire losses of any city of it's class in the United States. Hence the slogan "Let's Make It Ten." In it's fight to win the title again the Chamber is being supported by various organizations and civic groups throughout the city.
The Fire Prevention Parade is an entirely new feature introduced for the first time this year. Entries have been pouring in to the Chamber from all over Lakewood as well as the surrounding territory. Humor will be lent tot the parade with the assurance, of the Berea Fire Department that an old-fashioned hand-pumper will participate in the parade.
Many local firms will enter attractive floats emphasizing the Fire Prevention idea. Musical units, fire equipment, marching delegations, and other appropriate entries will take part. One of the first who stated that they would like to participate was Lakewood’s brilliant American Legion Mounted Troop, which recently took part in the Legion Convention at New York City. From the local fire department has come a promise that the new pumper for the department will be delivered in time for the parade.
The city will be well represented with Mayor A.I. Kauffman accepting the position of Honorary Marshall of the parade and he has said that other representative units from various City Departments will be there.
"This should be one of the finest parades," said Chairman Polley, "that Lakewood has ever seen, and I hope that various organizations and civic groups, as well as business concerns, will phone the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce at BOulevard 2900, as soon as possible so that we can make a suitable allocation of space in the parade for them."
Credit for the parade idea should probably go to Secretary Rowley of the Chamber who only recently took over the Secretaryship. Energetic, this is Rowley's first big promotional idea for the Chamber and from the support it has been receiving from Lakewoodites it seems that it will in all probability be a huge success.
Junior Group Active
The Lakewood Junior Chamber of Commerce will take an active part in Fire Prevention Week. Its monthly Membership Meeting on Tuesday, October 5th, will be given over exclusively to a Fire Prevention program.
The Lakewood Boy Scouts, the Lakewood Y.M.C.A. and the Lakewood High Y will be the Junior Chamber's guests.
The Lakewood Fire Department will give a First Aid demonstration and equipment display; a Fire Prevention movie will be shown, and refreshments served at the conclusion of the evening's program.
The Committee handling the program is headed by H.A. Sullivan, and composed of Clarence Poleni, Lister Hoffman and G.H. Koopler.
32:16 REPORT ON CITY FIRES 100 PAGE
NTH 3-25-38
Lakewood Submits Information on Fire 1937 Prevention Program to U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Lakewood’s Fire Prevention Report to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this year was over 100 pages larger than the report in 1936 and required compilation in two volumes.
Although Lakewood’s fire loss in 1937 unfortunately showed a substantial $12,000 increase over 1936, Lakewood Fire Prevention Committee is hopeful that its activities will counter-balance the increased loss. It might be stated here that the increased fire loss can be attributed to only one fire which occurred on the night of July 10, 1937, and that Lakewood reduced its number of fires in 1937 to 235 as against 249 fires in 1936. This figure is 140 fewer fires than those that occurred in 1930.
In the "March of Time," Lakewood has accelerated its pace to the "quick step" in Fire Prevention. This city, which has won first place in the Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contest among cities from 50,000 to 100,000 during the past nine years, took for its 1937 slogan, "Let's make it Ten." Rallying around this battle cry, Lakewood saw the observance of Fire Prevention Week develop into a fervor reminiscent of great religious revivals. Intensive efforts incorporating many new features, which included a gigantic Fire Prevention Parade, won for Lakewood first place in Ohio in the 1937 Contest, sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.
That such activities are not just a "flash in the pan" for only one or two weeks in a year is attested to by year-round efforts contained in the report. This important subject is emphasized repeatedly through numerous meetings, promotional activities, and a constructive educational program.
A report as to Lakewood’s standing this year will not be available probably until the middle of April, according to Mr. Earl T. Armesy, chairman of the 1937 committee.
32:17 HERE'S LAKEWOOD DELEGATION IN CAPITOL RECEIVING TENTH FIRE AWARD PLAQUE
Suburban News & Herald
Holding the spotlight at the opening session of the United States Chamber's 26th annual meeting in Washington, Monday morning, May 2, a delegation of fifty prominent Lakewoodites and Clevelanders received a bronze plaque symbolic of Lakewood's 10 year as winner in the National Chamber's Fire Prevention Contest.
Mayor Amos I. Kauffman received the trophy at the hands of James S. Kemper of Chicago, Vice President of the United States Chamber after President George H. Davis of Kansas City had praised Lakewood's Fire Prevention record unequaled by any city in the United States. No other city has ever won first place for the tenth year in this nation-wide contest.
In accepting Lakewood's Fire Prevention award, Mayor Kauffman told the audience:
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentleman:
The City of Lakewood is a residential suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, with a population of 75,000 and is probably the most seriously fire-prevention-minded city in the United States. We do not only observe Fire Prevention Week as designated by the United States Chamber of Commerce but have fire prevention throughout the other 51 weeks of the year.
During Fire Prevention Week in 1937 there was special activity by the people of the City of Lakewood which culminated in the largest parade in the history of the City.
Fire Prevention in Lakewood has become such that it is included in the daily work of the people; and, because of the close cooperation of the Fire Department, the local Chamber of Commerce, schools, churches and other organizations and groups, fire prevention has become instilled in the minds of the people. They realize all fires create inconvenience -- even though there may not be loss of life, injury to persons or damage to property. The people also realize their activity in fire prevention work has reduced the fire insurance rates to the lowest of any city in the State of Ohio.
While Lakewood has received the National Fire Prevention Award for cities of its class for ten consecutive years there has been no let up on the activity because of this record, as we feel it will assist other communities less resolute to become more active in fire prevention work--resulting in a large decrease in losses from fires.
The United States Chamber of Commerce might well give the City of Lakewood this trophy permanently, but we do not feel we should retire as an undefeated champion.
Last year the slogan of the City of Lakewood was "Let's make it ten." This year the slogan is "Come Eleven!"
Mr. Chairman, in behalf of the people of Lakewood, Ohio, I accept this plaque and at the same time serve notice on your organization that we will return to Washington a year hence on a similar mission. We are mighty proud of this unequalled record and expect to maintain in future years the standard we have set, which can easily be accomplished when we keep in mind cleanliness, safety and a special appreciation of the value of lives and property.
A.I. Kauffman.
After the presentation ceremony, a picture was taken of Lakewoods' delegation resplendent in large yellow badges reading, "Lakewood Fire Prevention, Washington, D.C., Good-Will Tour" and beautiful gardenias, the gift of C. Winterich & Sons, Lakewood florists. Directly following the taking of this picture most of the visitors went to Capitol Hill where Congressmen Harold G. Mosier, John McSweeney and Robert Crosser presented them to Vice-President John N. Garner.
Sight-seeing tours occupied a large portion of the time of the Lakewood delegation which arrived in Washington on Sunday morning, May 1st, going directly to the Mayflower Hotel as their headquarters. Three private Pullman cars and a club lounge care were required for the trip which ended Tuesday morning, May 3 on their return to Cleveland.
PLAN AWARD BANQUET
To give all Lakewoodites an opportunity to see Lakewood's ten Fire Prevention award plaques as well as an opportunity to celebrate its outstanding record, a banquet will be held in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium on Monday night, May 23.
Mr. Richard E. Vernor of Chicago, Chairman of the National Fire Protection Association, has been procured as the principal speaker. In making this announcement, the Committee emphasizes that Mr. Vernor has a national reputation as an inspiring and eloquent speaker.
To this banquet are invited not only members of the Lakewood Chamber and their wives, but any one from Lakewood or the surrounding area who would like to attend. Tickets which have not yet been printed will be available at the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, phone Bo. 2900.
This banquet which will be in the nature of a civic celebration occasioned by a record unequaled in the nation's history, is expected to be attended by several hundred prominent Lakewoodites and others.
32:18 LAKEWOOD IS FIRST IN STATE, FIFTH IN U.S. FIRE CONTEST
LAKEWOOD POST December 30,1938
Word was received this week from the National Fire Protection association that Lakewood had won first place in Ohio and fifth in the United States for its promotion of Fire Prevention week. This honor was shared with Cleveland although Lakewood was given a slightly higher percentage rating than the big city.
The contest is not to be confused with the Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contest, which covers full year's activities in fire prevention and which is sponsored by the United States chamber of commerce. Lakewood has won first place in this contest for ten consecutive years and local chamber of commerce official are hoping that Lakewood will again be first in its population group when announcement of winners is made in the near future.
In the national fire protection association rating Lakewood ranked right along with cities of larger population and larger finance for promotional work. Memphis took first; Los Angeles, second; Wichita, third; Jersey City, fourth, and Lakewood and Cleveland, fifth.
32:19 LAKEWOOD TOPS CITIES IN OHIO FIRE PREVENTION
January 6, 1939
Share honors with Cleveland Although Lakewood was accorded Higher percentage rating; Elyria comes in second with Akron and Cincinnati tied for third place; Cleveland Heights received honorable mention.
Word has just been received from the National Fire Protection Association that Lakewood has won first place in the State of Ohio for the second consecutive year for its promotion of Fire Prevention Week.
In this honor it shared with Cleveland first place although Lakewood was accorded a higher percentage ratage than our big neighbor. Elyria procured second place and Akron and Cincinnati tied for third place. Cities receiving honorable mention were Cleveland Heights, Massillon, Toledo, and Canton.
This contest is not to be confused with the Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contest covering a full year's activities which is sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and in which Lakewood has won first place in its population group for ten consecutive years.
It is interesting to note that Lakewood ranked fifth in the entire United States in its promotion of Fire Prevention Week with the six cities receiving the highest grades in their order as follows: Memphis, Tennessee-population 252,049; Los Angeles, California-population 1,233,561; Wichita, Kansas-population 111,039; Jersey City, New Jersey-population 315,642; Lakewood, Ohio-population 70,509; Cleveland, Ohio-population 900,430.
These 1930 Census figures given indicate that Lakewood's promotion of Fire Prevention Week compared favorable with cities much large in size and with correspondingly greater finances available for promotional work.
32:20 FIRE PREVENTION AWARDS
ROTARIAN May 1939 Pg. 34, 35, 36
Remember Spotless Town, the imaginary community created a generation ago by a nationally known cleanser manufacturer? The time seems ripe for some sort of recognition of a much more tangible American community: Sensibleville, Ohio.
Sensibleville's legal name is Lakewood. Sometimes within earshot of visitors it's called The City of Homes - and that is not euphemism - but inside the family circle Lakewood is known as "Cleveland's Bedroom." But don't conclude from that that this woodsy haven for weary commuters must be a land of nod. Drowsy is what Sensibleville distinctly is not.
For 11 successive years this community next door to Cleveland, the site of Rotary's 1939 Convention, has won first place in its population class in the nation-wide fire-prevention contest conducted by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. In two of those years it also took the grand award for the best showing of any city in any class. And since no other municipality anywhere comes close to that outstanding achievement, it would appear obvious that Sensibleville has some magic formula for keeping fire losses negligible - a formula which has made possible a record of -
Only two fire deaths in 13 years;
A five-year average of only 24 fires exceeding $1,000 in damages;
A five-year per capita loss (unreliable as that index may be) of 28 cents, with single years as low as 12 cents and 15 cents - despite the fact that 36 percent of the homes fall in the $5,000 - to $10,000 valuation, 49 percent range from $10,000 to $20,000, and 12 percent exceed $20,000;
Cutting the number of outbreaks per 1,000 population from 1924's very satisfactory ratio of 6.96 to 3.05 for 1938!
In short, when a city of 75,000 lives through 12 months with only 226 fires while 20 others of that size picked at random averaged 750 blazes in the same year - well, it has something on the ball!
On the theory that 11 years is long enough to withhold any secret, I went to Lakewood - and I took it upon myself to rename the city!
In justice to all concerned, it must be recognized that certain advantages give the Ohio community a distinct edge on many of its competitors insofar as per capita loss is concerned. Lakewood - or Sensibleville - is at least 90 percent residential, with only a small industrial section at one end of town and a limited mercantile area extending for about three miles each on the parallel Detroit and Madison Avenues.
Though this lack of excessive risks is always cited as the explanation of Lakewood’s consistent success in fire-prevention competition, it is a factor which is easily over-rated. For ten years dwelling fires in the United States have increased 40 percent while outbreaks in all other occupancies have declined steadily. And while it is true that industrial and mercantile blazes are usually the ones which swell the per capita loss figures, two thirds of America's fires and three-quarters of its life loss due to fires today occur in homes. It matters little whether Lakewood’s per capita loss for any given year is 28 cents or $28. The important thing to me is that the number of fires per 1,000 population is about three. One of its neighbors, with absolutely no industrial occupancies and the mercantile establishments confined to four blocks around the square, rates 12.52 outbreaks per 1,000.
There are at least a dozen cities of Lakewood’s size in the United States which experience from 26 to 31 fires per 1,000, but we need not draw unfair comparisons with them. So that you may have a clearer picture of Sensibleville, however, it is worth pointing out that such communities as Madison, Wisconsin; Mobile, Alabama; Topeka, Kansas; and Little Rock, Arkansas, range from 12.99 to 20.51 outbreaks per 1,000 residents. And there are others whose rate is a great deal higher.
The kernel of the nut, then, is not that Lakewood has less than three fires a year costing more than $1,000, but that it has relatively few fires of any kind. This is all the more significant in view of the fact that the residence construction is 90 percent frame; the prevailing winds from Lake Erie are high; houses are built very close together with few breaks, there being less than 150 vacant lots in the entire community; and there is a moderate sized section which is pretty well run down.
In casting about for reasons for this unusual situation of low total outbreaks of fire, you are justified in assuming that, to begin with, Lakewood has an efficient fire department under the capable and tireless direction of Chief Charles A. Delaney. It also has a much better water supply than scores of cites of similar or even greater size. Too often the city fathers get so enthralled with visions of shiny, red fire engines that they forget all about the wherewithal those engines have to use in fire fighting - but not in Sensibleville! In truth, the engines aren't nearly so impressive to the lay eye as many you'll see in more prosperous communities. One new piece of apparatus was bought in 1937; the rest must be 12 to 15 years old at least, albeit in perfect operating condition. Nevertheless, Chief Delaney's men are so well trained and organized that for several years no fire has extended to another building and only about ten a year progress beyond the floor of origin!
That's firemanship "of the first water," if we may be permitted to bandy words. Nevertheless, the finest fire fighting displayed by Chief Delaney's doughty band is not done at the hydrant and play pipe, but on the blackboard and on the speaker's stand and in front of the microphone!
To begin with, Lakewood probably has the most rigid fire inspection of schools, churches, sanitariums, hospitals, and public buildings of any city in the United States. The upshot is that the deplorable fire hazards you can find in public edifices in other communities do not exist here.
Because in common law a man's home is his castle, it is not feasible to extend this fine-combing to the dwelling. So in Lakewood they do the next best thing - they get the householder to inspect himself!
To get the background of this inspect-your-own-home idea, you have to go back some 20 years to the days of "Old Chief" Speddy, Delaney's former boss and head of the fire department for 19 years until his death in 1931. Chief Speddy was one of the earliest devotees of the doctrine than an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of water. Perhaps his most significant contribution to modern fire control was his belief that the ideal place ot start curbing fires is in the school room.
There he and his men hied themselves to talk to the children. There they sent fire-prevention literature and information for the teachers to impart to their pupils. And there, finally, was where they initiated the idea of having the householder do his own fire inspecting.
Having educated the children to the point where they were thinking fire control and talking it at home, the canny "Old Chief" then broke out with "home-inspection blanks" which were given to every child. No compulsion was involved. "These are some of the common fire hazards," they were told. "How would you like to take this blank home to your parents, go through the house with them, and check up on the danger spots?"
How would they like it? They ate it up! Not only did they take the blanks home, but they brought them back to class and held open discussion on various conditions found and corrected. The idea went over so well that it has been continued ever since, until now the pupils in 15 public and parochial schools get their blanks every Fire-Prevention Week. And 80 percent of them come back voluntarily to the teachers for review!
Later the unique idea of home fire drills was added, and now a second form is attached to the inspection blank giving brief suggestions as to the importance and the general methods of organizing domestic drills. Lakewood was the first city in the United States to acknowledge to initiate this commonsense measure (a dozen or more have taken it up since).
Furthermore, Lakewood is the only city I've every been in where school children, in their own enthusiasm, voluntarily bring into class crude floor plans and house diagrams of their own dwellings on which the fire-drill routine for their family is clearly summarized!
It opens your eyes to see fire prevention fall on such fertile ground. Likewise, it opens your eyes to run hurriedly through a batch of random reports from pupils and count over 1,000 homes in which domestic drills were actually held!
Lakewood-ites hate fire with the choicest of hates. And if you'll stop to ponder it, you'll understand readily enough that the reason fire can't get a toehold in their community is because for 20 years their schools have been teaching children how to avoid it.
Many of those who got their early instructions are now householders - and now their children are already bringing home inspection blanks and probing eyes and a resolve to make their homes firesafe. And so the education moves in an endless circle.
They don't stop with that, however. Well over ten years ago the logic and the immediate results of Chief Speddy's acumen became so apparent to the civic-minded elements in the city that support for more of the same medicine soon flowered. The Chamber of Commerce particularly enrolled for the duration of the war against fire, and this body has been the leader in popularizing, coordinating, and perpetuating the multitude of attacks on this form of needless destruction. The office of the alert secretary, V.A. Rowley, serves as a clearinghouse uniting the efforts of the women's clubs, service clubs and other civic organizations and supplying the public and constructive information through press and radio. Through this office the civilian fire-prevention program becomes a year-round endeavor in step with the fire department's own work. And although Clean-up Week in the Spring and Fire-Prevention Week in the Fall are built up as public observances assuming the zealous fervor of a religious festival, it is significant that that fervor is not allowed to chill during the other 50 weeks of the year.
Those familiar with the operations of these campaigns know full well that there are dozens of cities which put on such an impressive fire-prevention show in October that they go two, three, and four weeks after without a single outbreak. But gradually the enthusiasm cools, precautions are forgotten, rubbish begins to accumulate again ,and the citizens backslide into their old ways, until in six months they're back where they started. It is obvious from the record that they don't do this Lakewood. Why? Because they have been taught since childhood to be brutally inhospitable to the visitor who is destroying thousands of American homes every year.
I went to Lakewood to unearth its peculiar secret for keeping fires and fire losses so low.
I failed to find the secret. I failed because it has no mystic formula. Rather, it has a program so simple and commonplace that it seems almost patronizing to persons of normal intelligence to write it down.
Applied to your home town and mine, it it all boils down to this:
You are careful. I, your next-door neighbor, am careful. Brown, in the house adjoining mine, is careful. And so it goes right on down the block and around the corner, to the next street and the next and the next. We don't need any organization ballyhoo for that - we don't have our kids come home from school to preach it to us.
But until you and I and Brown next door all grasp the idea and put it to work, it's a cinch that the people of Sensibleville will go right on winning fire-prevention contests (and saving $200,000 a year over their normal fire-loss expectancy!*) without any more competition than they've had to date!
*If the national per capita loss had prevailed in Lakewood during the past 11 years, its losses would have been 2 million dollars higher than they actually were in this period.
32:21 BIG PARADE SET FOR FIRE PREVENTION
October 4, 1940
Spectacle Will Strike Note of National Defense With Guard and Battery Units
To the strains of martial music from thirty bands and drum corps, Lakewood’s Fire Prevention Parade next Friday night, October 11, will exceed anything yet witnessed in Lakewood according to predictions of Charles Minard, Parade Chairman.
Starting at West Clifton Blvd. and Detroit Ave. and moving east along Detroit Ave. to the Elks Field at Bunts Road, the Parade will take on North Central Ohio significance, with many national champion units from Lorain, Amherst, and a host of other cities, as well as out big neighbor city of Cleveland to the east.
It will mark the debut of two Lakewood’s stellar musical units in new uniforms, Lakewood’s famous High School Band, resplendent in purple, black and gold uniforms, and American Legion Lakewood Squadron No. 66 Jr. Drum Corps in their snappy new scarlet West Point outfits. As host band, Lakewood High School graciously relinquishes its right to compete for trophies. Added to these, will be many other beautifully outfitted bands and drum corps, as well as a galaxy of brilliantly outfitted drill teams and gorgeous floats.
The Fire Prevention Parade will strike a note of national defense this year, with the last public appearance of National Guard units, including Battery B 135th Field Artillery and Company A of the 145th Infantry, parading just prior to their mobilization on October 15. It will be an opportunity for Lakewood and surrounding communities to give "the boys in khaki" a rousing send off before they entrain for camp as a part of the country's national defense program.
Many veterans of the last World War, as well as some of the Spanish-American War, will be in the line of march. So, with bands playing and flags flying, Lakewood’s Fire Prevention Parade next Friday night will take on even greater color than ever before.
Although people will have ample opportunity along Detroit Ave. to see "The Largest Fire Prevention Parade in the Country," excellent points of vantage will be provided in Lakewood Elks Stadium where the parade will officially pass in review and where a special program of entertainment will be provided including thrilling motion pictures entitled "Sounding the Alarm," "The Bad Master" and "Beautiful Ohio." Music for the entertainment will be provided by Wurlitzer's Concert Band.
Another unique feature of this year's observance of Fire Prevention week will occur on Thursday night, October 10, when T. Alfred Fleming of New York City, National Chairman of the Committee on Fire Prevention Week will address industrialists, and those in charge of industrial, commercial, public, and apartment house buildings at a free "Fire Prevention Smoker" at the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce at 9 p.m. Free smokes and free eats, together with an interesting program is assured by the Industrial Committee Chairman, W.S. Cram.
Focal point of Lakewood’s attack on Fire Prevention will again be the schools, when thousands of children will bring home inspection blanks for daddy and mama to help them check up possible causes fire in their homes. Many interesting playlets and other programs are being devised by the teachers, in both public and parochial schools. Sam S. Dickey, Assistant Supt. of Schools, is Chairman of the Educational Committee.
Adults, too, in many organizations throughout the city will hear competent speakers discuss this old but ever new subject of Fire Prevention and what it may mean to you and me. On Monday, Oct. 7, Fire Chief C.A. Delaney will talk over radio station WCLE at 4:00 P.M. and on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 9:35 P.M. General Chairman Austin M. Lloyd will interrogate other members of the Lakewood Committee regarding plans for Lakewood through radio station WHK.
Lakewood, winner in the National Fire Prevention Contest for twelve consecutive years, disdains any bad luck generally attached to the figure "13" and is valiantly attempting to continue its splendid achievement by building its Fire Prevention promotion around "13" emphasizing that "Fire Prevention Isn't Just Luck."
32:22 LAKEWOOD WINS FIRE WEEK AWARD
LAKEWOOD POST April 6, 1945
The National Protection Association has completed examination of reports of activities during 1944 Fire Prevention Week and the Record of Merit for first place in Ohio has once again been awarded to Lakewood.
The honor was achieved by Lakewood in competition with the many other Ohio cities. The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Fire Prevention Committee is headed by John Cantrell and includes Donald Lee, Miss Rachel Bevington and Fire Chief C.E. Delaney.
32:23 CITY WINDS SECOND PLACE IN NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION
LAKEWOOD SUN POST April 12, 1946
Lakewood took second place in its class of cities with populations from 50,000 to 100,000 in the annual Fire Prevention contest for 1945, according to word just received by the Lakewood chamber of commerce from the grading committee of the National Chamber. More than 600 cities were enrolled in the year-round campaign of fire protection.
Activities in Lakewood were supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Fire Department, the schools, stores, industrial plants and many other Lakewood groups. Schenectady, New York, was awarded the bronze plaque for winning first in Lakewood's class.
The grand award for all classes, won by Lakewood on two occasions, this year was won by Atlanta.
32:24 CITIZENS FOR COMMITTEE TO AID FIRE FIGHT
LAKEWOOD POST September 15, 1950
Name Chairmen for Prevention Drive Oct. 8-14
Approximately 50 representatives of Lakewood business and civic groups met Monday evening in Harding Junior High School for the purpose of forming a Citizens committee to assist in the annual City-wide Fire Prevention drive to be conducted here Oct. 8 to 14.
Sponsored by the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce with the cooperation of the Lakewood Fire department and other civic groups, the Fire Prevention Associaiton of Ohio will make a fire prevention survey of all business places and public buildings along Detroit and Madison Avenues on Oct. 10. Lakewood boy scouts will accompany checkers on their rounds.
At that time, members of the FPA organization will investigate conditions from a construction, equipment and up-keep standpoint of stores, schools, churches and other buildings with the purpose of discovering any defects or conditions that might cause a fire. Where called for, they will amke the necessary recommendations.
Chief speakers at Monday's meeting were Charles A. Burton, Lakewood Chamber president and Walter Hilton, president of the Fire Prevention Association of Ohio. Both accented the necessity of the Association's survey and its value to merchants and other property owners. The meeting was called by Louis P. Dissly, 1348 Fry, head of the Lakewood Chamber's Fire Prevention Committee and General chairman of the forthcoming campaign.
Named to the Executive committee are: Mr. Burton, 17200 Lakewood Heights, president; Russell Clapper, 27007 Wolf Bay, treasurer; Art Zwierlein, 10317 Clifton, secretary.
Co-chairmen of the various sub-committees are: Robert H. Berger, 1319 Belle who heads the Clean Up and Paint up section; Russell Southack, 1576 Blossom Park, City of Lakewood; Cheif C.A. Delaney, 1633 Northland, Lakewood Fire Department; Ted F. Brooks, 17860 Lake, Merchants; Leonard A. Leonard, 15026 Merimeade, Industry; Dr. R.B. Crawford, 1421 Larchmont, Hospital; Rev. Louis Brereton, 18001 Detroit, Churches.
Schools, Lucille Kenney, 1264 Manor Park, Sam Dickey, 2073 Belle, Olive Kroeger, 1520 Lakewood, Mrs. Gladys Stevens, 17430 Shaw, Albert Neneman, 14504 Deleward, Ralph A. Rood, 2135 Glenbury, Virgil Wallace, 16616 Lakewood Heights, Ada B. Beckwith, 3108 Lincoln, Principal Mahlon A. Povenmire, 1472 Mars, Arthur J. Knape, 1270 Arlingon; Jack Clifford, 12509 Detroit, Joint Veterans Council of Lakewood.
Norman Philpott Jr., 2200 Wascana, Red Cross; Ray L. Weaver, 1545 Larchmont, Boy Scouts; Mildred Markle, Parma Heights, Lois and Lucille Minarkik, 1653 Marlowe, and Mrs. Clinton Barry, Camp Fire Girls; Mrs. J.R. Wanous, 2061 Warren, Girl Scouts; Edward Christian, Cleveland, Red Cross; James F. Bennett, 1594 Lincoln, Publicity; David Zeiser, 13989 Franklin, Inspection; Bert O. Evans, 1637 Blossom Park, Speakers; Robert O. Young, 21587 W. Lake, Publicity and Glenn H. Campbell, 17527 Madison, Safety committee.
32:25 FIRE COST PER PERSON DROPS TO 26¢ fROM 62¢
LAKEWOOD POST February 17, 1950
Chief Credits Citizenry With Greater Vigilance
Once again the Lakewood Fire department has compiled a record equalled by few comparable Ohio municipalities.
Fire Chief Charles A. Delaney's annual report released this week showed that Lakewood firefighters battled nine less blazes last year than in 1948 with the total loss to buildings and contents down 59 percent-a fact which Chief Delaney generously attributed largely to greater vigilance on the part of the citizenry in reporting outbreaks of fire, in addition to better handling of them by firemen.
A total damage of $19,474 or a per capita loss of .2597 was incurred last year against a loss of $47,155 or a per capita loss of .6288 in 1948. Actual fires numbered 206 as compared with 215 in the previous twelve month period, while 36 was the figure given for false alarms, as against 41 in 1948.
Total valuation of buildings and contents involved in the fires was $3,666,870 as compared with 1948's figure of $4,756,845.
The year's worst blaze causing a $3,300 damage occurred in the late evening hours of Dec. 7 at the O'Malley Paint company store on Madison avenue. The fire, which broke out in the storage building located in the rear of the establishment destroyed much of the paint stock and inflicted considerable smoke damage. It was attributed to combustible materials stored too near a gas heater.
Other salient facts gleaned from Chief Delaney's seven-page report are as follows: box alarms in 1949 totaled 51: telephone alarms, 233; still alarms, 6. Figures for the year before were 16, 191, and 8. Fires in frame buildings, 36; in brick buildings, 29; in brick and concrete structures, 4; in metal buildings, 1; fires other than in buildings, 136.
Although pleased with the results of an extensive fire prevention program and the cooperative spirit of Lakewoodites in keeping the yearly fire loss at a minimum, Chief Delaney points out that "Lakewood could cut down the $19,474 loss of last year by 10 percent if we could just get citizens to use receptacles for ashes that are not combustible, housewives to be more careful with electrical appliances, and smokers to be more wary in discarding lighted cigarettes and cigars." Overheating furnaces and failing to oil refrigerator motors and blowers on home heating units were also cited by the Chief as a major cause of fires.
Lakewood will not know the results of awards made annually by the National Fire Waste contest committee until the latter part of April. The committee, which is in Washington, D.C., is sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In both 1939 and 1941 Lakewood won first place in cities with a population between 50,000 and 100,000 persons.
The award is based partly on the profit and loss record and the effort put forth in planning and observing Fire Prevention Week, a project sponsored in Lakewood by the Chamber of Commerce.