32: Fire Prevention
32:1 Fire Loss
32:2 Fire Loss Kept Low
32:3 Fire Chief Speddy Reports Very Low Fire Loss For
Lakewood In Past Year
32:4 Fire Loss For 1923 Is Only $19,566
32:5 Lakewood Is Named Best In Antifire Work
32:6 Fire Prevention Awards
32:7 Awards
32:8 Lakewood Brings Back Highest Fire Waste Prize
32:9 Lakewood Ranks High In Fire Prevention
32:10 Fire Losses Reduced
32:11 Fire Award Given To Lakewood Again
32:12 Return With National Award
32:13 Lakewood Again Wins Fire Award
32:14 Fire Award Won Again
32:15 Lakewood Will Try To Win Fire Award Again
32:16 Report On City Fires 100 Pages
32:17 Here's Lakewood Delegation In Capitol Receiving Tenth
Fire Award Plaque
32:18 Lakewood Is First In State, Fifth In U.S. Fire Contest
32:19 Lakewood Tops Cities In Ohio Fire Prevention
32:20 Fire Prevention Awards
32:21 Big Parade Set For Fire Prevention
32:22 Lakewood Wins Fire Week Award
32:23 City Wins Second Place In National Fire Prevention
32:24 Citizens Form Committee To Aid Fire Fight
32:25 Fire Cost Per Person Drops To 26¢ From 62¢
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. |
|
|
340 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
284 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
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 PREVNTION
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 -