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First Annual Message of Archibald Johnston, 1918 [continued]
"Fire prevention in its co-operative state may be identified as civic betterment, but where such cooperation is lacking it is the progressive prerogative of a municipality to REQUIRE adherence either through the statutory laws, as far as their jurisdiction extends, or by the enactment of ordinances that will fix responsibility upon those who wilfully jeopardize life and property by fire hazards.
"Chiefly among the methods for fire prevention should be considered:
"(a) Construction, Alteration, Repair, and Maintenance of Buildings.
"(b) Demolition or Repair of Dilapidated Buildings constituting a menace to surrounding property and the endangering of life
"(c) Prohibiting the accumulation of rubbish and waste materials in and about premises, and regulating the burning thereof.
"(d) Regulating the storage of gasoline and other petroleum products, explosives, etc.
"(e) Fixing liability for the cost of extinguishing a preventable fire upon persons in whose premises fire occurs as a result of disobedience to a fire prevention regulation or ordinance.
"The enactment of such fire prevention methods affords the best means of eliminating fire hazards, but it is, of course, necessary to see that the provisions are properly enforced. This can be conveniently and successfully accomplished by the organization of a Fire Prevention Bureau, under the direction of the Chief of the Fire Department, (with the consultation of the Building Inspector insofar as it relates to caption "A,") who shall appoint two members, or such number as may be deemed necessary, from each fire company, whose duty it shall be to make periodical inspections of all properties and premises in the territory assigned them, and order the abatement of any fire
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