Seward Seaport Record

By Mildred Kirkpatrick

Last week's story on fire hazard in Seward General Hospital has caused considerable concern, as we knew it would. The hazard has now been remedied, in fact had been, when the Fire Chief's report was made to the Council, so we are told. The building is now safe, as safe as an old frame building can be.

This is one more important reason for the building of a new, larger, fireproof structure as soon as it is possible.

The superintendent of the hospital can not be held at fault over the reported fire hazard in that building, UNLESS previous inspections had disclosed conditions and the superintendent had been notified of them with instructions as to needed repairs.

It is my opinion, that the same unsafe furnace room and other details outlined in the report must have prevailed for several years without the knowledge of the hospital authorities, at least without the belief that it was hazardous.

Annual inspection should have disclosed this before now. Which leaves three alternatives; either there has been no fire inspection in past years, or there was an inspection that was so cursory that it failed to disclose any hazard that existed, or the inspector did not notify the superintendent who callously failed to protect the hospital and its patients from danger by fire. This I cannot believe to be true.

Mr. Kielcheski feels that the old fire ordinance does not give him authority to enforce measures that he has had to suggest.

This may be true, and he cannot be blamed for not wanting to "stick his neck out", on the strength of an ordinance which cannot back him up.

This being the case, he must be given the authority by a new and strong ordinance or a table of regulation.
It is senseless to ask any officer to attempt the impossible.

What is even more imperative however, is to gain the cooperation of every owner and householder in the town to prevent fires. All the inspection in the world will come to naught if the people fail to follow through.

Our volunteer fire department is drilling regularly and studying the new methods of fire extinction. A great deal of money has been put into equipment, the men respond quickly and unhesitatingly to the alarm. Still, in freezing weather and a precarious water supply, a disastrous fire is not impossible.

It is much easier therefore, to prevent fire by obeying the instructions of the fire inspector, thus protecting our own property and lives.

Incriminations and denials have been thrown about the past week. Neither will save a life.

Regardless of who is to blame, or whether anyone is to blame, or whether we are all responsible, this thing has been brought into the light of day, and whether the solution is a new ordinance, a new inspector or a new hospital, the time to study and correct the situation is NOW!