E.P.S. Plans

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 103, 2 May 1941, Page 10

E.P.S. Plans

AIM FOR CO-OPERATION At a conference of representatives of Emergency Precautions Scheme organisations throughout the district, held in Palmerston North on Wednesday, a decision was reached to have a survey made affecting certain facilities and to set up a central committee to facilitate co-operation, should the need, arise. Those represented were the organisations within the city, the Feilding Central Committee area, the Foxton, Shannon, Levin and Otaki boroughs and the Manawatu, Kairanga, Ilorowhenua and Pohangina County Councils. Mr. W. J. Minogue, chief postmaster, was welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. A .E. Mansford), Mr. Minogue being chairman of the communications committee in Palmerston. North. Mr. Mansford presided. Addressing tho conference, tho chairman of the city Emeigency Precautions Committee (Mr. W. B. Teunent) indicated that there were several matters on which co-operation would be valuable. In an emergency the control of traffic, for instance, should be unified; assistance could be given "with evacuation, tho mobilisation of trained nursing staff, transport facilities, auxiliary lighting and cooking, and a number of other matters of importance. He thought that the city and the Kairanga County should be one entity, so that this unit could be kept relatively compact. Co-operation between well-knit units would probably produce better results than the formation of large, loosely knit bodies. In a discussion on available nursing strength, Mr. A. K. Drew (Manawatu County Council) said that in his area a complete list had been made of fullytrained and partly-trained nurses. It had been found that there were a number of nurses who had experience in the last war. Some of the nurses were now undergoing refresher courses at the hospital. Lectures had been arranged and even splints and stretchers had been manufactured. Mr. Tenneut said such a register was most valuable. Mr. J. T. Bo vis (Shannon) indicated that similar action had been taken there. Other representatives outlined that a large amount of work and instruction was being undertaken- by the Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance Brigade. Various delegates gavo reports ot measures taken within their districts, with particular reference to medical and nursing services (it being explained that hospital services had been very thoroughly organised); also supplies, transport and accommodation, and evacuation. Mr. Tenneut moved and Mr. Jos. Batchelar seconded a motion that the districts within the area which have E.P.S. organisations should appoint their wardens, who shall take an inventory of trained personnel in nursing, also an inventory of all supplies, trucks, equipment and accommouation which could be made available in the event of an emergency; this information to be made available so as to be called upon through the local organisation in the event of an emergency; and that a central co-operating committee be formed comprising the chairmen of these various E.P.S. organisations, with the Mayor of Palmerston North as chairman.