FIRE SAFETY MEASURES AT THE COOK HOSPITAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22569, 24 February 1948, Page 4

FIRE SAFETY MEASURES AT THE COOK HOSPITAL

APPROVAL of recommendations submitted by the board’s engineer, Mr. N. K. Brown, for increasing the availability of water for firefighting purposes at the Cook Hospital was signified by the chief inspector of fire brigades, Mr. R. Girling-Butcher in a report submitted at yesterday’s meeting of the board.

Mr. Brown advised the substitution of a 4in. main from the Gisborne Borough Council’s supply at the foot of Hospital Hill, to the pump-house in the hospital grounds, to reinforce the storage supply in the hospital tanks, bv taking advantage of the night flow in the reticulation system. Mr. Girling-Butcher stated that it was considered necessary to hold in reserve at the hospital a minimum of 75.000 gallons for fire-fighting purposes. As soon as the supply available was adequate for night pumping the question of erecting a further tank to accommodate the day-time requirements of the hospital should be considered. Hospital Grounds Reticulation The report gave consideration to a general scheme of reticulation in the hospital grounds and the placing of emergency firefighting apparatus at danger-points where it could be used at once by members of the stall to deal with outbreaks of fire. Mr Brown's proposal for a hre main, serving the buildings on the hill was approved, but Mr. Girling-Butcher said the board should consider whether it could not be made to serve both firefighting and domestic needs of the hospital by increasing its capacity. He pointed out the necessity ot providing in the installation for tne use of fire-brigade plant in place ol or to supplement the hospital’s own plant.

The managing-secretary, Mr. C. A. Harries, stated that the cost of the work proposed was estimated at not less than £2OOO, but it would give the hospital the best possible equipment for handling fires, Mrs. E. R. Scott asked whether provision was being made for regular and comprehensive fire drill at the hospital. Sectional Drill for Staff The chairman, Mr. J. B. Williams, stated that the last fire-drill was held in November, and instructions had been given that regular sectional drill be held more frequently than in the past. The cost of the new proposals, said Mr Williams, would be substantial, but it would be iustified by the greater safety for patients, staff, and buildings. The chances of suppressing a fire in the early stages would be much enhanced once the new appliances were available. Mrs. Scott urged that drill be held frequently, without waiting for the new installation. Mr. Harries replied that a meeting of executive officers would take up the matter within a few days. Mr. Harries added that while personnel changed from time to time the nurses were generally to be depended on to use resource and intelligence m £ the handling of emergencies. The super- » intenrient of the Gisborne Fire Brigade had had occasion recently to compliment the hospital nursing staff on its promptitude and resource.