FIRE FIGHTERS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 116, 10 February 1941, Page 8

FIRE FIGHTERS

Auxiliary Corps To

Be Formed

150 IN WELLINGTON

Pay And Allowances As

For Territorials

An Auxiliary Fire Service, independent of the ordinary fire services. is to be established by the Government on a similar basis to the Territorial Forces. Members will receive territorial pay, and will wear distinctive uniform of design suited to their duties. Wellington will have 450 of these auxiliary firemen, who will be equipped with proper fire-lighting machinery. For the purpose of organizing the scheme, Wellington will be divided into five or six divisions, the principal and largest being based on the Central Fire Station, and covering the business area of the city. A small division, with perhaps 45 men and three trailer pumps, will operate in the Kelburn, Northland and Karori districts. In the whole Wellington area there will be some 450 officers and men, with 25 trailer pumps. There will be a company of 10 to 20 men to each trailer pump, and the strength ot each division will be up to 100 men. It is proposed to enlist suitable men who have been, or will be, called up in the ballots and who for any reason are exempted from military service. Consideration is also being giien to tlie desirability of inviting enlistments in the A.F.S. by married men of categories not subject to the ballot. In addition to uniforms provided by the Government they will receive pay and transport allowances at the same rates as are paid to the Territorial Forces for evening and weekend parades, together with the. same rights of compensation and pension. Enlistments for the A.F.S. branch are invited. Arrangements have been made for a full dress rehearsal at all fire stations this week to show the various branches of the fire-protection organization at work.