THEATRE FIREMEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 205, 30 August 1941, Page 8

THEATRE FIREMEN

TRADES COUNCIL'S VIEWS

LEGISLATION* PROPOSED

A decision to take up with the National Executive the matter of firemen in theatres with the object of having legislation brought down providing that only qualified firemen in the employ of fire boards be employed to supervise fire control at the theatres was reached at the last meeting of the Auckland Trades Council of the Federation of Labour.

The subject was raised for discussion by the representatives of the Houses of Entertainment Union, and it was complained that the Auckland City Council had amended its by-laws removing a clause stipulating that fire control in theatres must be carried out by men under the control of the Fire Board. It was alleged that the position now was that youths employed by theatre managements could be employed on this work on the night session, and under-managers did the work in the day sessions. This was considered by the council to present a potential danger, it being argued that an employee would not naturally be in a position to oppose the management in regard to extra seating accommodation.

The City Council by-laws require theatre premises to be fitted with adequate fire prevention appliances, and that there must be on duty during the whole of every public exhibition, performance or meeting at least one male employee who has been trained to the satisfaction of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board, or other competent authority, in fire and panic drill. It is also stipulated that the staff of such building should be efficiently trained in fire and panic drill.