THE E.F.S.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1943, Page 4

THE E.F.S.

SCHEME MODIFIED

BILLETING OF MEN

After comprehensive consideration by the National Fire Council, fire brigade superintendents, and technical officers, a considerable modification of training and reduction in the number of personnel in the Emergency Fire Service lias been decided upon. The Minister of Civil Defence (Mr. Wilson) said today that although a more active organisation was necessary in the four metropolitan areas than in other centres, demands on personnel in them would be reduced so that each man would not be required to stay in billets more than one week in seven or eight. Apart from that duty men would only be required to attend one parade monthly.

! "The general reasoning which applies !to emergency precaution services applies with some force to the fire-fight-ing side of civil defence," said the Minister, "but there are other very important considerations which make it necessary to retain the E.F.S. organisation to a greater extent than other sections. In the first place fire brigades, like every other service and industry, have suffered considerably by the withdrawal of experienced men for military service, and notwithstanding constant endeavour it has not been possible up to the present to maintain the numerical strengths of the regular permanent and volunteer brigades, but special steps are now being taken to overcome this difficulty. In the second place fire risk has materially increased, in the main centres particularly, due to the establishment of war industries and the storage of dangerous goods, and those risks are still considerable, despite reduced dangers from enemy attack. It has to be remembered also that material and supplies are of infinitely greater importance during wartime due to the impossibility of replacing them, and consequently increased protective measures must be provided. REDUCTION TO 1200. "To meet the existing conditions War Cabinet has decided to retain the general organisations, but to cut down the active strength by about 50 per cent., leaving some 1200 men spread over the vulnerable areas. The remainder will be placed on reserve. Further relief will be afforded the personnel by materially reducing the time required for compulsory training, which has been fixed at two hours a month for places outside the four main centres. "It is essential, however, to retain a more active organisation in the four metropolitan areas expressly to provide against the additional risks, and consequently arrangements are being made whereby an adequate force will be kept in billets. Here again steps will be taken to reduce the demands on personnel to a minimum by distributing the, .duty among as many men as may be retained on active strength to ensure that each man may not be required to stay in billets more than one week in seven or eight.* Apart from this duty, men will only be required to attend one parade a month. TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS. "The services given by the members of the E.F.S. are fully appreciated by the Government, and as Minister in Charge of Civil Defence I have been very much impressed by the high standard of efficiency attained, due entirely to the enthusiasm displayed by j the members and by those whose duty it has been to supervise the general training and organisation. To a lauge extent service in the E.F.S. up to the present time has been given voluntarily, and I sincerely hope that that spirit will continue in view of the very important part this service can still play in protecting stores and industries so vital to our war effort. "In conclusion," said Mr. Wilson, "I wish to emphasise that the principle upon which the E.F.S.. was established is being fully adhered to, namely, to provide an auxiliary service to assist the regular fire brigades for the purpose of dealing with fires arising from war or any other emergency. The arrangement now made, whilst taking into account the general improvement in the war situation, is designed to provide adequate protection against everyday risk made necessary entirely by war conditions, and consequently such risk cannot be regarded as a normal responsibility of the fire boards and other fire brigade controlling authorities. It in fact becomes the Government's responsibility, and it is therefore essential that members of the E.I.S. should perform service to the extent indicated by me as an integral part of the fire-fighting forces."