Soon after, however, a compromise was reached. Following assorted votes, proposals, and a petition from the Fire Company, the council voted on March 18, 1875, in a special session, to contract for two 2-wheeled Sulkey fire extinguishers from the Champion Fire Company, and to cancel the original contract. Following spirited debate, the council decided to name the engines "Frontier No. 1" and "Frontier No. 2". They used soda and acid, rather than water, to put out fires.

By June 16, 1875, the extinguishers had arrived and Ordinance 142 was passed to authorize payment over two years of $1,453 for the equipment. It was not long, however, before the controversy became a moot point, as the Fire Company disbanded later in the year, leaving no one to operate the equipment.

This prompted the businessmen of the community to submit a petition with 100 signatures to the council on January 5, 1876, asking the city to take whatever measures were necessary to make a guarantee against fire. The manner in which the city mills handled the problem, through a well system, was endorsed as a model to follow. The petition was sent to the Fire Committee, but no immediate action was taken. Instead, the council worried about what to do with the unused fire-fighting equipment.

On June 26, 1876, the council passed a resolution calling for correspondence with the Champion Fire Extinguisher Company over the possibility of returning the equipment with reimbursement of $750, as well as suggesting to offer to sell it to other towns for $800. Nothing resulted from the city's efforts, and on December 11, 1876, the council voted again to have the Fire Committee pursue disposal of the extinguishers. But before much else could transpire, the Frontier Hook and Ladder Company was reorganized in early 1877. The purchase of two dozen buckets was authorized for the company on January 29, and 65 fireproof hats were approved on March 26. The city had at least regained some form of fire protection, but it was clearly not enough. The extinguishers had not proven effective and the bucket brigade was not terribly efficient, but still more time elapsed before steps were taken.

The situation continued relatively unchanged until the next year. Greiffenstein, who has been called the "Father of Wichita", became mayor on April 5, 1878. In his opening address, he emphasized the unsolved problem of fire in the city, "l would like to call your attention to the maintaining of a more effective fire department. A liberal assistance and lasting care of this important auxiliary to our government will add greatly to our welfare. The numerous fires of the past year, with the attending loss of property, must no doubt convince you of the necessity of prompt action in this matter." (City Council Minutes). With this message the first real look into a water supply began. The Fire Committee had no report at the April 22 council meeting, but the mayor suggested obtaining water for fires using something similar to the drive well pumps, only larger.

The Fire Committee continued to improve fire fighting by providing money for apparatus and a new fire station with a water pump. During this time additional proposals on various types of fire apparatus were taken and discussed. In the meantime, discussion turned from the type of