METROPOLITAN FIRE CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21274, 30 August 1932, Page 8

METROPOLITAN FIRE CONTROL

The principle of metropolitan fire protection has been wisely approved by representatives of all authorities concerned within the isthmus with tentative agreement upon the conditions of amalgamation. Endorsement of what actually are individual opinions in some cases must be received from the boards or councils before the scheme can take practical shape in the form of legislative proposals, but the general atmosphere of co-operation at yesterday's conference is a good augury. It indicates that men active in civic affairs throughout the area have clear vision to see the best interests of the city as a whole. District boundaries should not exist in the matter of fire control. The one aim should be efficiency for the protection of life and property. Unified control not only gives a greater measure of safety to the smaller districts through the immediate availability of highly-trained personnel, but must result in fire stations being sited on the best strategic plan. Under present arrangements it is impossible for stations to give the same service. For instance, the Mount Albert Brigade must travel nearly two miles if a fire occurs in the south end of the, borough, although the Avondale station of the Auckland brigade is only a few blocks from the boundary. The Mount Roskill station is situated near the southern boundary of the Mount Eden district and other stations are also sited near the boundaries of districts. In practice any brigade would cross a boundary in an emergency but its officer must always bear in mind his own responsibilities, and on that account all boundary areas are exposed to more than the average risk. One system of control is the obvious need now that so many of the outer areas have been built up and lack the natural protection against conflagrations of vacant sections. The proposal that the metropolitan fire board should take over liabilities as well as assets should help to solve some of the financial difficulties that have appeared, and the way generally has been paved toward the merging of all fire control authorities.