AUXILIARY FIRE BRIGADE

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1914, Page 5

AUXILIARY FIRE BRIGADE

A NECESSARY INSTITUTION.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING.

The necesisty of having some means of dealing with outbreaks of fire in the southern end of the town has presented itself with considerable force to the residents in that locality, and in response to numerous requests Mr. A. Doig convened a meeting at the Recreation Hotel to consider the matter. There was a large and representative attendance, some twenty gentlemen being present.

Mr. A. H. Carter was appointed secretary of the meeting.

Mr. A. Doig, who was voted to the chair, said he. had been approached by several residents at the southern end of the town with a view to forming a brigade for the purpose of dealing with outbreaks of fire in that locality. The fire last Friday night had shown conclusively that some such movement was necessary to take a fire inhana until the arrival of the main brigade. Another question of importance was that of telephonic communication in order that the fire station could be informed of the exact locality of the fire. The Chairman said he was pleased to see Superintendent Ryan present, and lie could give some valuable information on the matter.

Superintendent Ryan said he was thoroughly in accord with the idea on account of this portion of the town being situated so far from the main fire station. He was convinced after the fire last Friday evening that an auxiliary branch of the brigade should be formed. It was not possible for the main brigade to reach, outbreaks at the southern end in the earliest possible moment, and in that case it would be of the utmost importance if a . volunteer branch were established in the southern quarter of tlic town to deal with any outbreaks that may occur. The speaker quoted from a section of the Act which gave authority for the enrolment of volunteers as auxiliary members of a fire brigade.

Mr. H. F. Doogan said it appeared to him that the only thing they could do that evening was to appoint a deputation to wait on the Fire Board. The strength of the main brigade was twenty, and this number would be quite sufficient if they were equally distributed about the town, but this was not so, hence it was necessary to provide an aiixilfary force in this quarter. He though it would be a good idea to have a number of volunteers to take operations in hand until the arrival of the main body. He felt sure Superintendent Ryan would be quite willing to instruct the volunteers. The best idea would be to appoint or elect volunteers in different parts of the southern end of the town to assist the regular members, and act on their own initiative and take charge at an outbreak of fire until the arrival of the main brigade.

Mr. G. T. Grace, secretary of the Grey Fire Board, -said the Fire Board was for the purpose t)f dealing with the equipment and welfare of the brigade. The question they were discussing that evening was taken in hand some years ago, but nothing had been done. The- idea was that volunteers for this end of the town should act as an adjunct to the main brigade. Tlie question of instruction was an important one, and fire brigade property should not be used unless some of the older members, or the superintendent was present, because there was always a danger of the plant being neglected or. left disorganised after being used in practice. The present strength of the brigade was twenty, and he did not think there was any likelihood of this number being increased, as the present strength was quite sufficient for a town of the population of Greymouth. As far as the question of volunteers to act as an auxiliary was concerned, it was a good idea, and the Fire Board would be found quite, willing to give any assistance necessary. He thought some arrangements would have to be made as regards accident insurance, for the members, but the main question was if the present membership of the brigade could be increased.

In reply to Mr. F. Garth, Mr. Grace said the question of accident insurance in connection with volunteers had never been discussed by the Board, but it was a matter that should receive first consideration.

Mr. E. I. Lord said after hearing Superintendent Ryan and Mr. Grace, the only thing the meeting could do was to appoint a deputation to wait on the Fire Board. It was quite apparent they could do nothing until they placed the matter before th Board. He would move that a committee of five members wait on the Fire Board and place the matter fully before them, and at the same time express a wish, for the establishment of a branch in this locality.

The motion met with general approval, and being seconded by Mr. B. Phillips was carried. V

Mr. Grace said the main question was if the Fire Board would be willing to increase the additional expense in the "way of insurance, uniforms, etc.

Mr. H. Holmes said lie was satisfied that there were not enough active members in this part of the town, which was amply shown last Friday evening. Then there was the matter of telephone communication, which, was most important. There should be some means of communicaitng with the fire station at the earliest possible moment.

Superintendent Ryan mentioned that a good idea, and one that was used in other towns was to instal an alarm on,the verandah of ce/tain private dwellings. These were then accessible at all times, and should be used here.

Mr. J. D. Lynch said there some hurdles to get over in the matter, but these Were to be met in all movements. He was satisfied,, however, that some protection was necessary in this part of the town, and he would favour a brigade being formed independent of the main brigade. The fire last Friday showed plainly that some such protection was necessary, and he was of

Mr. Doogan said the master presented no great difficulties if Superintendent Ryan would undertake the instruction of the new members. The question of telephone was one of importance, and there was no reason why the telephone could not be installed in the shed in High Street if it was used properly. The matter of accident insurance was one for consideration, and he thought this should be undertaken by the Board. It would not be fair to ask volunteers to undertake duty until they were insured. Until such time as the Fire Board met in December, there was no s reason why they could not be instructed in ,the meantime. Mr. Lynch considered the forming of the brigade should be gone on with. The matter of insurance was after all only a small one. Superintendent Ryan said he was prepared to give instruction to new members at the earliest, possible moment. Mr. Lynch then moved that a volunteer fire brigade be formed to work in conjunction with the main brigade. This was seconded by Mr. Garth and carried. Superintendent Ryan said it would be a difficult question for him if a large number of volunteers came forward. The number should be limited. Mr. Grace was of opinion that if a number of volunteers were taken in hand, they could be drafted into the brigade from time to time. Mr. Doogan said they should have some members to take charge in case of fire. They must have a head to work under. He would move an addition to Mr. Lynch 's motion that if the number of volunteers exceed eight, the chairman be empowered to call another meeting and ballot the number down to eight. This was agreed to on the voices. The Chairman emphasised the necessity of telephonic communication. Mr. P. Harley had offered Ms telephone for use in connection with fire alarms, and he would move that the offer be accepted. The motion was carried. Mr. "W. Kyle was in favour of an alarm being installed on the lines adopted in larger centres, where they had proved successful. The following deputation was then appointed to .wait on the Fire Board in coneetion with the matter of forming a volunteer brigade: — Messrs A. Doig, H. F. Doogan, J. D. Lynch, H. Holmes and E. I. Lord. Superintendent Ryan was empowered to arrange re ladders in connection with, the High Street shed. It was decided to hold a meeting of volunteers on Friday evening, under the supervision of Superintendent Ryan, at the shed in High Street. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and Superintendent Ryan closed a most enthusiastic meeting.