FIREMEN TO GET NEW DRILL TOWER City's Last One Was Abandoned 28 Years Ago Construction is scheduled to be gin soon on Oakland's first fire drill tower since 1821 under 'a $23,988 contract awarded by the Oakland City Council yesterday to Gaubert Brothers, low bidder -for the job. ; V -.l i-':r -, i The tower, which will be four stories high, will be erected on city-owned lot at 4875 Mac Arthur Boulevard near the Mills College fire house. Incorporated in the structure I will be a classroom; space for one fire engine and a test pit with a capacity of 3080. gallons of . water for testing pump ers and training firemen In draft pumping. j i Equipment for fire escape and ladder training will be installed, in the tower. - It will also have a smoke room for gas mask train ing. V Battalion Chief Edwin Hentzell, fire department training director, will supervise an , insruction - course for all firemen which will start as soon as the building is completed. ! : Fire Chief James H. Burke said all beginning firemen will undergo a strenuous 30-day instruction and training course, while veteran firemen will receive refresher courses in fire fighting and ! rescue - techniques. The courses will be carried on continuously. Construction of the drill tower is one of a number of Fire Department improvements recommended by the National Board of Underwriters, , Chief Burke pointed out He ' said the city plans to petition the board for another survey 'fit the city's fire fighting facilities with a view toward effecting a reduction of fire insurance rates. The last fire drill tower, which was located at East 14th Street and 13th Avenue, was abandoned in 1921.