FIRE PREVENTION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 135, 10 June 1942, Page 3

FIRE PREVENTION

EMERGENCY PROVISIONS

RECONSTRUCTION EFFECTED A complete reconstruction of the compulsory fire-watching and fireguard service in the metropolitan area of Auckland has been approved by the E.P.S. Central Committee, and comes into operation as from to-day. The changes effected have been rendered necessary because of diminishing manpower and the impossibility of providing transport for the fireguard in emergency. The new scheme combines the fire-watching and fire-guard services under the heading of fireguard. The new provisions given in a statement issued by the Chief Warden, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, are as follows:— The buildings covered bv the order are those in the high risk area, and buildings outside the high risk area where more than 30 people are employed. The cost of establishing and maintaining the fire-guard service, exclusive of .the cost of fire-fighting equipment, which shall be borne by the owners, is to be borne by owners and occupiers of the building in such proportions as may be mutually agreed on and, in default of agreement, as may be apportioned by the Fire Protection Organiser. The basis of fire-guard duty is one week's continuous service in every four, and during the remaining three weeks the services of fire-guard personnel will be available to district or city block wardens in the areas in which they reside. Team workers of the Wardens Unit and personnel

of the Supply Unit will be available for fire-guard duty one week in every four. On the sounding of the warning signal, team workers specifically detailed to fire-guard duty on the roster are to remain at their posts in the building and deal with any outbreaks of fire. "The Central Committee," stated Mr. Allum, "has appointed the chairman of the Metropolitan Fire Board, Mr. J. J. Kingston, as Fire Protection Organiser and, although the duties are onerous, they will be carried out in an honorary capacity. I take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Kingston for his public-spirited action in accepting this important position. "The scheme can be claimed to be compact and workable and will, I f»el sure, afford an effective measure St protection should an emergency overtake the metropolitan area."