FIRE BRIGADE CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 12

FIRE BRIGADE CONTROL

THE METROPOLITAN SCHEME COST TO THE DISTRICTS GREATER EFFICIENCY POSSIBLE Further explanation of the proposed metropolitan fire board schemo was given yesterday by Mr. R. Girling Butcher, inspector of fire brigades, who is at present in Auckland. He stated that the metropolitan board would take under its jurisdiction the whole area from the Tamaki to the Whau. To cover the side of the district from Ellerslie eastward it would be necessary to erect another fire station, and this would probably bo placed at. a convenient point on the Great Sooth Road, where there would bo ready access to Ellerslie, One Tree Hill, Mount Wellington, Onehunga and the industrial area at West-field. "Figures already given," said Mr. Butcher, "show that on the basis of capital value tho metropolitan board would mean a reduction in cost for Onehunga, Ellerslie, Mount Albert and Mount Roskill. In tho case of Mount Eden it is probable that tho individual fire board could operate at about the same cost or, possibly, less; but the expenditure necessary from the public funds adequately to protect the district would bo greater than in the case of tho metropolitan board, since tho district would in that case be protected by the surrounding brigades as well as by the Mount Eden unit. "The estimated cost shows a slightly higher expenditure for Newmarket and One Tree Hill, but these districts are at present protected by the city firo brigade at a very low cost, and it would not be possible for them to establish efficient local brigades for the amount required under the metropolitan scheme. If the schemo is carried out tho One Tree Hill district in particular will derive great benefit from the new station referred to in the Great South Road. "The reason why it is possible, to make reductions in the cost of the suburban firo services is that under a metropolitan board these would bo subsidised by insurance companies. The cost to the insuranco companies will be greater, but, in spite of this fact, they favour the scheme on account of the greater efficiency obtained. Never less than two machines would go to a firo and the full strength of tho brigade would be available for any large fire. "The reference I made at the Mount Eden Borough Council meeting to the efficiency of the Auckland brigade was not in any way a comparison with other brigades, but was made to show the efficiency of the system of auxiliary staffs at outlying city fire stations. Both Point Chevalier and Avondale have only one permanent officer on the staff, yet their turnout was comparable with that of a professional staff. The voluntary fire brigades throughout New Zealand are rendering very efficient service to tho community and no comparison can properly be made between their organisation and that of a permanent city brigade. A large permanent staff is required only where there are large buildings and stocks at risk, as in the case of the city area."