FIRE SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25802, 24 March 1945, Page 6

FIRE SERVICE

RETENTION OF CATEGORY A MEN REVIEW OF APPEAL CASES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Mar. 23. The cases of 76 permanent volunteer and auxiliary firemen from Auckland city and suburban brigades held on military appeal were reviewed to-day by the Armed Forces Appeal Board. Apart from members of the volunteer brigades in outlying districts, 57 of the reservists were employed by the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board, 28 belonging to the permanent staff. In the case of several part-time firemen, appeals were also made by their employers. At the request of the board, the functions of the auxiliary fire service were explained by the deputy superintendent of the Metropolitan Brigade, Mr G. A. Mackenzie. He said that there were nine auxiliary stations in Auckland which were required to be manned by an officer and six auxiliary firemen. At least 50 per cent, of the staff had to be on duty from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. As they were required to sleep and live at the station for at least one week in five, it was essentially a job for single men. Because single men were not available to fill vacancies on the permanent or auxiliary staff. 74 volunteer auxiliaries were enrolled from the emergency fire service when that organisation was disbanded, [n 1939 there were 59 permanent auxiliaries, but to-day there were only 14, There was none at the Central Station, which previously had 10. “We cannot find auxiliary firemen anywhere at the present time, although we are continually trying to encourage men to join the service,” Mr Mackenzie stated. A number had been lost to the forces, and some who had returned from overseas were now married and had no wish fo rejoin the service. It had always been the policy of the board to have auxiliary firemen on duty at night when fire risk was greatest, and this was done at considerable cost. The chairman, Mr C. A. Snedden: What would happen if you lost half of these men? Witness If they could be forced to be on duty every two weeks instead of five we might be able to carry on with the remaining staff. Mr Mackenzie said that if suitable replacements could be found the board would be prepared to withdraw some of the appeals on condition that it was given reasonable time to train recruits. Most of the appeals were adjourned sine die. _____