EMERGENCY SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25135, 28 January 1943, Page 4

EMERGENCY SERVICE

MODIFICATION 1 OF POLICY REASONABLE STANDARD OF PREPAREDNESS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 27: Policy questions of vital importance to the emergency precautions services have now been determined which have a direct bearing on the training and time required to be devoted to these services by the personnel. This announcement was made to-night by the Minister of Civil Defence, Mr D. Wilson. _ . “As was pointed out in a statement which I made at the end of last year,” Mr Wilson said, “civil defence measures are considered from time to time by the War Cabinet in collaboration with its expert advisers, and a policy is shaped -according to the information available. It must be emphasised that the War Cabinet is the only authority that is in possession of all the information available in the country upon which policy determinations can be made, and it is extremely unfortunate that false impressions are often created by the utterances of unauthorised persons, and sometimes by persons in prominent positions, that have the effect of unsettling the personnel in the belief that the conditions no longer call for service on their part. “ The War Cabinet, with a full sense of its responsibilities to the people of the Dominion, can be relied upon to formulate both active and civil defence measures in keeping with the conditions existing, and not impose irksome restrictions a moment longer than is considered absolutely useful and necessary. A full review of the whole position was again carried out by the War Cabinet in conjunction with the chiefs of staff yesterday, and proposals in respect to civil defence for the immediate future were given full and careful consideration.

Services Must be Maintained

“I am in a position to state that the War Cabinet has determined that the Emergency Precautions Services must be maintained in a condition of effectiveness in the meantime, ready to spring into action immediately should an emergency arise,” Mr Wilson said, “Anyone who thinks that the position in the Pacific is so good that we can abandon our civil defence and preparedness and that the position could not deteriorate as quickly as it recently improved is living in a fool’s paradise. To give effect to this policy will call for continued training, particularly for the personnel of the firstline units such as first aid, law and order, wardens, works and firefighting. But the time involved in training will be regulated to ensure only a reasonable standard of preparedness and will be based upon the present war situation and not upon the seriousness of the war situation which existed last year. “The proposals now being formulated give effect to this policy, which will be the subject of discussions with the regional commissioners, departmental officers, and E.P.S, authorities. The time has certainly not arrived to justify the removal of the provisions calling for compulsory service in the E.P.S., although it is probable that steps will be taken to fix modified establishments of well-trained personnel, plus a reserve of others to be called upon should the position deteriorate. It must be pointed out, however, that the male personnel relieved of any liability for training and service in the E.P.S. may be posted for service with the Home Guard. Suspension of Fire-watching “Special consideration was given to the question of fire-watching which was terminated last year pending review,” Mr Wilson said, “ and it has been decided not to reinstate continuous .firewatching in the meantime. Rosters of the personnel will be maintained and tests arranged from time to time, but not involving sleeping away from home. It will be necessary, however, for all equipment to be installed and kept in good order and repair to the satisfaction of the E.P.S. authorities, who will make periodic inspections. “In view of the provisions already made in those areas more likely to be subjected to enemy action and the general conditions ruling at present, no further work on new shelters will be put in hand and action will be taken to complete any shelters on which the bulk of the work has been carried out. Inexpensive utilisation of the more suitable buildings, in the event of an emergency, however, will be organised through the E.P.S. authorities as refuges, and should provide adequate safeguards in conjunction with the other protective measures included in the general operations. A System of Trials “ Regarding the fire-fighting services, special consideration is also being gjven to proposals arising out of the report of Mr A. D. Wilson, of the Department of Home Security in Great Britain, and these will be announced as soon as finality is reached. To ensure that all civil defence organisations will be kept effective, the War Cabinet considers that tests of the units should be carried out at intervals, and occasionally more comprehensive trials consisting of several appropriate units. The same course will be adopted to maintain a proper standard of effectiveness in respect to black-out precautions. Whilst designed to ensure a reasonable standard of preparedness, it is not intended that the trials shall be carried out in such a manner as to result in unnecessary interruption of war production or other essential facilities. “In conclusion, I would like to say that the present organisation makes adequate provision for a full and continuous liaison as between the War Cabinet and the civil defence administration. Once a policy is determined in the manner outlined above it is made the subject of personal discussions regularly between the Minister, the regional commissioners, and the Department of National Service. The regional commissioners in turn will make contact with the district controllers, who are responsible to them for the general training and efficiency of the E.P.S. The system ensures that the local E.P.S. can be kept fully informed of the policy, and thus be able to regulate the training according to the needs.