FIRE FIGHTING EFFICIENCY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 September 1927, Page 5

FIRE FIGHTING EFFICIENCY.

SUGGESTIONS BY FIRE BRIGADE. TO BE CONSIDERED BY BOARD. Before the quarterly meeting of the Levin Fire Board last night, a conference took place at the request of the Brigade, between the Board and Brigade. Mr F. E. Parker presided, and there were present also Messrs W. Jenson and A. Clerkc, members of the Born and a good muster of the Brigade ui • Superintendent J. Connor. a " A. A, Young, Fireman Su'■'•d Superintendent Connor . ’'esmen for the Brigade "Oi 1 a variety of matters, .f 1 ’ that a light motor - •> ’<d ' with hose and a ’. be ' .. -. with a view ; ‘ [4. 11 fi . i fires, it bein,: • ■ -r.d t’a: or would enab; !'■>■■■* re d ,;h quickly and wi. f A? ex.w ure of so much wav ■.?, " ■ ,ig motor was used, this 1 - ' iage by water. Some provision u t ilso be made for a relief motor . the present one was under repair. A request was made for the present motor to be equipped with a siren to distinguish it from other motor traffic. It was also recommended that a corps of fire police be formed to assist the Brigade at tires. The Brigade represented that the presence of so many motor cars in Oxford Street, on Saturday , nights might prove dangerous in the event of a tire breaking out in the business area, and the confusion resulting from the rush of cars from the vicinity of the outbreak might interfere with the operations of the Brigade.

Another matter mentioned was the need of the residence at Weraroa being connected witii the telephone. This was advisable for the purpose of reporting fires. The Brigade also asked what was being done in regard to the bell tower alarm at the station, from which they considered they were not getting the result that was required. Mr Parker agreed that further representations should be made in regard to the police telephone at Weraroa. The matter had not been considered yet from the fire-lighting point of view and it was an important one.

The Fire Board, he said, hoped to obtain the best possible system of fire alarm for Levin. They were endeavouring to arrange a conference between the Telegraph Department’s Engineer, the Power Board Engineer (Mr Smith), Inspector Hugo (as a fire-fight-ing authority), and Mr Porter (representing the street alarm system). Unfortunately it w-us very difficult to get all these experts together,, They were assured, however, of the co-operation of the Telegraph Department, and it was now a matter of working out the technical details. Under the system proposed every telephone in Levin would be a fire alarm station by day or night as upon receiving a call the attendant at the exchange, by operating a -switch, would be able to sound the alarm at the station. This system was already operating successfully in five towns in New Zealand.

The Secretary of the Brigade' asked that when the Board had the details before it, they should be discussed with the Brigade as there might be points oh which the latter could advise.

Mr Parker said he appreciated what was at the back of the Brigade’s mind in bringing these matters forward—that was efficiency. As a Board they had ,to consider not only that but finance* as well. They were acting for the Borough, the insurance companies and the Government, and had to spend the money to the best advantage and take the advice of the highest experts. In this matter they could not do better than lean upon the knowledge of Inspector Hugo, the greatest authority in fire fighting ip this country. There was a point where cost must be considered in relation to the ability of the people to pay. When the Board was formed, the Committee recommending it estimated the annual cost at about £BO. It was eight times that amount, and while not grudging the money, they must give the expenditure every consideration before incurring it. In conclusion, Mr Parker thanked the members for the attention they gave fire-fighting in Levin. Like the members of the Board, they gave their time to this service and he hoped the residents generally appreciated what they were doing. Unfortunately these were not the days of appreciation for voluntary service, but they must keep on doing their best. Superintendent Connor thanked the Board for listening to the Brigade. They were actuated by the best interests of fire fighting in Levin in bringing these matters before the Board. He suggested that any books or literature on fire-fighting, water pressure, hydrostatics, etc., would,,be useful for the Brigade library. Before concluding, Mr Parker asked the Superintendent to make any enquiries he could into the utility of Fire Foam, a system of fire-fighting which was proving very successful, and the Superintendent agreed to do so. Mr Parker asked the Brigade to send tlie Board a letter enumerating their suggestions briefly so that they could bo considered. The conference then ended.

At the subsequent Board meeting, Mv Clerke said one point mentioned by the Brigade required immediate attention. That was the possibility of the fire motor being under repair. There should be a lorry available for use in case of need. At Mr Parker’s suggestion, seconded by Mr Jenson, the Superintendent' and Secretary of the' Board were empowered to hire q, lorry should it be found necessary to garage the fire motor or it become disabled.

Owing to the absence of two members, it was decided to hold a special meeting to consider the matters brought forward by the Brigade and to ask Inspector Hugo to be present.