EMERGENCY PLAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 93, 21 April 1939, Page 10

EMERGENCY PLAN

KEY POSITIONS

FILLING VACANCIES

MAYOR'S STATEMENT

Replying to remarks made at a meeting of the Wellington District Free Ambulance Board yesterday that men in key positions in the emergency precautions scheme for Wellington were dead and that others had not been instructed in their duties, the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop), in a statement today, said that it was not correct to infer that such deaths would make the scheme ineffective. The scheme was a very comprehensive one, and key positions were allotted to holders of offices whose successors automatically succeeded to

the key positions referred to.

"The scheme for emergency precautions for Wellington city was first produced in 1931, principally to meet serious earthquake conditions if they should arise," said Mr. Hislop. "The scheme has been revised from time to time, and was last reprinted in 1937. It is not quite correct to say that the death of certain key men has rendered the scheme ineffective. THE MAIN POSITIONS. "It was soon found that the continual changing of personnel would render any scheme ineffective if persons as individuals were relied on to fill all the key positions. Consequently the scheme was developed so that the main positions on various committees were allotted to the official position held in established organisations such as the Harbour Board, Master Carriers' Association, Public Works District Engineer, Red Cross, etc. Copies of the scheme were sent to all organisations affected after reprinting in 1937.

"Meetings of several such committees have been held recently to revise their schemes, and alterations will1 be reprinted from time to time. Portions of the scheme which require most revision are printed as appendices in order to avoid complete reprinting. It is the duty of each organisation to keep its membership informed as to their probable duties. ENROLMENTS COMMENCED. "One recent alteration has been to commence the enrolment of volunteers from the city's service to act as additional traffic and fire police officers in a serious emergency, as well as for protecting and restoring city services. The first call was made amongst employees of the city engineer's department, and the response has been excellent. Those who are selected will be instructed in their duties, and vacancies will be filled from time to time.

"I would like to mention that at the present time steps are being taken to check up the organisation generally. We were the first to set up such an organisation, and the general principles governing it have since been largely adopted by the general scheme of the Government. I shall, however, be .glad to discuss the matter with any people or bodies concerned, with a view to getting help from any matters they may wish to bring forward, and also to let them understand the full nature of the scheme."