RADIO AS AID TO FIREMEN.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 March 1937, Page 2

RADIO AS AID TO FIREMEN.

■» A COMING NEW ZEALAND DEVELOPMENT. PALMERSTON N., This Day. The value of radio in the fire service, especially in the larger centres, can readily be appreciated, declared Inspecting Officer A. McJennett, of the Wellington Fire Brigade, in a paper read to the sixth annual conference of the Institution of Fire Engineers (New Zealand branch) which opened in Palmerston North yesterday. Engines attending fire calls in city or suburban areas can immediately upon, arrival radio information to headquarters, giving the nature and extent of the outbreak, Additional apparatus and crews can then be hurried to the scene or dismissed as circumstances warrant. An engine returning from an out district fire may also be advised by radio of a new outbreak. Radio had been used in many national. disasters —in New Zealand the Napier earthquake was an example.

‘‘ The five service needs modern equipment for efficiency. Radio stands on the steps of future development in the fire service, at least where our cities and larger commercial centres are concerned, and where permanent fire brigades are maintained. Any system installed by a brigade must be of the most modern design at the time the apparatus is acquired. The possibilities of radio are unlimited—as proof, its world-wide status to-day, ’ ’ stated Mr MeJennett.

In a subsequent discussion of the paper, delegates agreed that such developments as were predicted were likely to take place in future. Mention was made of advances already made by overseas fire services in the. utilisation of radio.