EMERGENCY FIRE SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23714, 12 August 1942, Page 5

EMERGENCY FIRE SERVICE

MARKED IMPROVEMENT REPORTED

EQUIPMENT AND NUMBERS

In April, the Emergency vice in Christchurch reported that it was seriously hampered by the lack of men. towing vehicles, equipment, direct telephones, and a motor-cycle corps. Last evening the commander (Mr K. W. Robinson) and the Fire Controller (Mr A. Morrison) were able to report to the Fire Board a much more saitsfactory position, in all these respects. The report stated that the force had practically reached the full strength of 400, but another 50 might be required as the result of a conference at Wellington. The service had 32 vehicles for towing, 26 being lent on a whole-time basis for the duration of the war. The Dominion Fire Controller considered the Christchurch system of obtaining the wholetime loan of vehicles better than the system in other centres. Two mechanics had been appointed to care for the vehicles and the 24 trailer pumps. Direct telephone connexions from the central station to 15 action stations and three sub-stations were nearing completion. Twenty-two men had been taken into the service as motor-cycle messengers in case the telephone system failed, but they were also being trained as firemen. The service would like six more motorcyclists with their own machines, or. alternatively, an increase in the number of motor-cycles left at the central station for the duration of the war. Reviewing the training of the service, the report said drills were held on four nights a week at the mam station, and every night and every week-end at action billet stations. The training of a few men had been interrupted by calls for overtime work until a firmer stand was taken by the service after a direction from Wellington. At billet stations men were on duty every night and all the week end, constituting a flying squad of nine crews, with nine pumps and nine towing vehicles, ready for a three-minute turn-out. Commenting on the report. Mr Robinson said most members of the service were doing far more training than the amount prescribed, much more than the six hours a week of other organisations. He had the greatest admiration for the men, particularly the non-commissioned officers, who were the backbone of the service. Members of the board expressed satisfaction with the marked improvement in the position of the E.F.S.