FIRE PROTECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24104, 24 October 1941, Page 8

FIRE PROTECTION

COMPULSORY SCHEME EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL DEFENCE AGAINST AIR RAIDS [BY TFXEGUAIMT —UK ESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday The compulsory installation of firstaid lire-fighting equipment can be required of owners of buildings in vulnerable areas under the Emergency Reserve Corps Regulations, 11)11, which were gazetted to-day. Occupiers of such buildings and their employees can also be required to provide the personnel to operate such equipment and to undergo training for any such service. An explanation of the regulations was given to-night by the Minister ol National Service, the Hon. R. Seniple, who said it had been found in England that the compulsory provision of firstaid fire-fighting equipment and personnel in buildings in vulnerable areas enabling fires to be dealt with in their incipient stages was the only effective method of combating a modern air attack. "The new clauses," s.nid Mr. Semple, "provide for the establishment of traflic control on rural roads during an emergency, the establishment of Government emergency precautions services to enable State activities such as railways and telegraphs and others to organise internal protective measures to ensure the continuity of essential services in times of emergency, and the compulsory lire protection of buildings situated in vulnerable areas. "The latter provision," said the Minister, ''is of the utmost importance from the standpoint of protecting buildings, particularly from possible attack by an enemy using incendiary bombs. The equipment required to be installed by owners will consist in the main of bucket pumps. To ensure that the cost of pumps to the public will be kept as low as possible the Government has made arrangements for its manufacture under large quantity contracts and for its sale through local authorities at the manufacturing cost plus 10 per cent. Under this arrangement it is hoped units will be procurable at between £-1 and £5 each."