AIRPORT FIRE PROTECTION

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 16

AIRPORT FIRE PROTECTION

City Council To Call Meeting

Fire protection at the Christchurch airport will be discussed by a meeting to be called by the City Council’s airport committee 8s a result of advice from the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board that neither the board nor its Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond) is satisfied with the adequacy of the protection. The committee reported to the council last evening that the Civil Aviation Administration, at its cost, manned a service to aircraft using the airfield during passenger flying hours, and while the American Antarctic forces were using the airport there was virtually a 24-hour service.

The council had an understanding with the administration that should any building fire occur the administration's fire tender would attend until tl s city brigade reached the Scene, provided always that the safety of any aircraft was not likely to be prejudiced. The committee will invite representatives Of the administration, the Fire Board and the National Airways Corporation to discuss the protection needed. The committee’s report was adopted by the council without discussion, although the Fire Board had discussed the subject at length on Tuesday evening and decided to call its own meeting.