FIRE-FIGHTING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 124, 7 March 1941, Page 3

FIRE-FIGHTING

EMERGENCY SERVICE ARRANGED IN THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Mar. 6. The Government, in collaboration with local authorities and fire boards, lias completed arrangements for the establishment in the main centres and principal secondary towns of an emergency fire-fighting force to meet conditions which would arise if towns were subjected to enemy sir raids or bombardment. In making this announcement this evening the Minister for National Service (the Hon. B. Semple) said that because of its isolation this country need not expect a degree of eneihy attack comparable with that to which England is being Subjected; but ordinary prudence dictated that it Was essential to prepare for possible air raids or bombardment by enemy raid ers, . which Were known to be in the Pacific. : In- such an eventuality the fire-fighting forces and the Emergency. . Precautions Service organisation generally, would constitute the first line of defence. Mr Semple said that the matter had been under*consideration'for some time. After considering reports by officers of the defence services and of a technical committee consisting of the senior fire brigade superintendents, the Government decided to meet the position by estiblishing, in terms of regulations published to-day, an emergency fire service as a branch of the Emergency Reserve Corps, which comprised the home defence forces of the Dominion, under civil control. Payment for Services. “In the original emergency precautions scheme provision is made for each organisation to establish its own auxiliard fire-fighting squads/’ said the Minister, “but it has been found in practice, particularly in the larger centres, that because of the hazardous nature of the work, and the inevitable damage to private clothing, it has not been possible to recruit a sufficient number of men to ensure effective protection. The Government therefore decided to make the work more attractive by providing uniforms, by paying men for their services, and providing for pensions and allowances on the same basis as members of the Territorial Forces. As a set-off against these concessions, members of the E.P.S. will be subjected to strict discipline in accordance with the specified conditions of service which have now been gazetted. By a series of nightly and week-end 'parades, they will he required to undergo a period of intensive to make them efficient in the shortest possible time. “The personnel of this new force, which will consist of about 2000 men, will be recruited from suitable men who are drawn in the ballot, and who for any reason are not likely to be released for service with the armed forces for some time. An appeal will also be made to married men, as they are not likely to be called for military service* in the near future. Thus the E.P.S. will provide an avenue for alternative service, and will bo so constituted that its efficiency, once attained, will remain fairly constant. “Subject to direction by the Minister for National. Service, the force will be administered by the Dominion fire controller, Mr R. Girling Butcher (Inspector of Fire Brigades). For administration purposes, the Dominion will bo divided into four commands, with headquarters at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. In each command there will he appointed a district fire controller, who will bo responsible for training and organisation of the service throughout his district, and for the allocation of personnel and Government equipment. Provision is also made in the regulations for the appointment of other officers. *

Provision of Equipment. “To ensure the efficient administration and training of the service, the Government will meet not only the cost of paying and uniforming the personnel of the emergency fire service, but also the cost of the necessary equipment, which will consist mainly of additional fire pumps and large diameter fire hose for overland operation. Some 62 trailer unit pumps, similar to those being used in Great Britain, are at present being manufactured in the Dominion. “In addition to the establishment by the Government of this emergency fire service, local authorities and fire boards in all the principal towns of. the Dominipn are strengthening their fire brigades by enrolling volunteer firemen and fire patrols. Experience in Great Britain has shown the necessity for prompt action in dealing with incendiary bombs. To meet this eventuality, all principal fire authorities arc recruiting a volunteer mobile fire patrol force, which will consist of a large number of units of two men, with a motor-car equipped with a bucket pump and a length of half-inch hose with a spray nozzle. “In towns where emergency fire brigades are being developed purely on a voluntary basis under the local emergency precautions organisation, arrangements are being made to provide the men with uniforms, and as members of that organisation they will be covered against injury or death during training or service to the same extent as are members of the armed forces. “It will ho seen, therefore,” concluded the Minister, “that for men who are physically fit, and who for any reason cannot serve with the armed forces, thefe afo opportunities to perform active war Work in all branches of this most important defensive organisation. I appeal to them to dffer their services to the superintendent of the local fire brigade.” ,