E.P.S. Shortening Sail

Northern Advocate, 25 August 1943, Page 2

E.P.S. Shortening Sail

A'- a result of dwindling business and responsibility, and 10 save administrative expendiiure, (he Whangarei Emergency Preeaut ions Services Commit tee is evidently of tin* opinion lhai die time has come when its future policy should be ■definitely decided. A meeting ol‘ the committee last evening decided to ask the regional commission.]- whether the committee should continue in office or whether it should hand over to tile combined committee. The decision of the commissioner will be placed before the borough council. Civil Defence Modification Considerable discussion revolved round a memorandum received from the National Service Department, which stated: tl) That on account of the improvement in hi- war situation the Government had decided that it was no longer necessary for tit.. Food Controller to maintain the emergency reserves of foodstuffs, which have accordingly been released for normal use. It is suggested that the reserves held by E.P.S. services themselves should also bi. disposed of for normal use. 12. i September 30, 1943. is the final day up to which the Government subsidy will be available for cent inning expenditure in non-vulncrable areas in respect of salaries, rentals, telephones. postages, etc. i. 1 !) Training returns are not now required. (I) It is not necessary for some member of each theatre stall to be in a position where he would bo certain to hear tla** warning signals. to) Except in Auckland, Wellington. Lower Hun and Petone, it is no longer necessary for fire-watchers to be on call. (<:>) Restrictions placed upon the use of sirens is modified. In vulnerable areas infinitely greater care should be exercised by E.P.S. central committees in authorising the use of sirens for lire alarms or fire engines.

(7) In iho vulnerable areas the number of lully-sioeked iiist-aid posts should be reduced in proportion to the reduction in I lie establishment strength of the medical unit. This will enable the release ol' considerable quantities of medical equipment. Wherever possible, medical equipment on loan from bespital boards should be returned to these bodies, and where there is a surplus of equipment which has been pureliast d, hospital boards should be asked to take it over at valuation. (!!) Compensation in respect of personal injury may be paid to E.P.S. members where the injury is suffered by the mem* her in ihi‘ course of his service as a member and is directly attributable lo such officer when the duty is undertaken with the approval of the E.P.S. organisation concerned, whether the service is voluntary or compulsory. (!;) Where- E.P.S. personnel over and above the number required for the now front line establishment have volunteered to remain in the active strength of such units or with tire mobile squads, (he Government, will net object to their being retained on the active list nor will any objection be raised to such persons undergoing active training, including the general personnel force, on (he same voluntary basis, provided, however, that the expenditure involved is kept within bounds. This is conditional on the personnel volunteering of their own free will and definitely undertaking to serve once the',- are accepted. t Ho Mobile squads on a voluntary basis mav be formed, if so desired. (11l District motor vehicle controllers should be requested to withdraw the “notices of intention to use" in respect of al! motor Vehicles not required for the proper functioning of the authorised establishments, mobile squads and volunteers remaining on the active list of the front-line unit. The vehicles retained should as far as possible be collected from those which are likely to be most rerfdily available and in good order and condition should an emergency occur. (12) The emergency two-gallon cans of petrol on issue to E.P.S. personnel should be recalled at the first convenient opportunity and taken over by the local authority for local use. In all vulnerable areas reasonable quantities of petrol will continue to be made available for approved training and licenses will be granted accordingly.