FIRE SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 23832, 12 March 1941, Page 3

FIRE SERVICES

AN EMERGENCY AUXILIARY WAR-TIME MEASURE [Pek United Press Association.] BLENHEIM, March 11. The organisation of iiro services in New Zealand to meet conditions urising in the event of cities and towns being subjected to air raids was the principal subject before the annual conference .of the United Fire Brigades’ Association yesterday and this morning, and four resolutions; which are to bo forwarded to the Minister of National Service, Mr Semple, were carried unanimously. , An address on the Government’s proposals, emphasising the necessity for increasing the lire service personnel and equipment so that immediate training could be carried out, was given by the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Mr Girling Butcher. As an outcome of the discussion oh the address, which was taken in committee, the conference instructed the executive to confer with Mr .Butcher on the present recommendations, and four resolutions embodying these recommendations were adopted as follows;

(1) “ That ai! brigades endeavour to establish a brigade auxiliary of not less than two-thirds of the ordinary brigade strength. ” The conference considered this desirable, not only to meet possible war emergencies, but to strengthen the brigades for dealing with ordinary fires and preventing loss of material which is irreplaceable in war time. (2) “ That the conference represent to the Minister of National Service that, in view of the fact that fire service is definitely the first line of defence in the event of an enemy attack, service in existing brigades and brigade auxiliaries, or emergency fire services, be given preference over both the Home Guard and emergency precautions schemes, except in the case of men having special qualifications; suitable men to be interchanged.” (3) “ That the conference approves of the formation of ah Emergency Fire Service on the basis recommended in the cities and the larger secondary towns, and the enrolment of unpaid voluntary auxiliaries, numbering not less than two-thirds of the ordinary brigade strength.” (4) “ All auxiliaries to be enrolled individually as members of the E.F.S. and every brigade to be included in the E.F.S. as a unit.” J