FIRE-FIGHTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26416, 21 March 1947, Page 4

FIRE-FIGHTING

EMERGENCY MEASURES MEETING WATER SHORTAGE With the reduction in the pressureof water in the mains serving the city brought about by the necessity of conserving water, special measures have been adopted by the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Brigade to ensure that sufficient water is made available for fire-fighting purposes. Outlining to the Daily Times last night the emergency measures taken,/ the deputy-superintendent, Mr L. R. Osmond, explained that arrangements have been made for special hose-'lay-ing equipment and pumps to turn out to all but minor outbreaks in addition to the machines usually sent. Arrangements have also been made by which resident officers are brought on duty each night at 8 p.m. in order to ensure that there are sufficient officers to carry out the extra duties. The hose-lay-ing equipment will operate from the large city mains and also from the Leith, creeks, St. Clair baths and even the harbour.

“The special equipment,” Mr Osmond continued, “will not be sent to grass fires or minor outbreaks unless there are calls for reinforcements. It will only be used in cases where buildings ate involved. Those giving alarms would assist the brigade if they pointed out the nature and Extent ojf the outbreak at the time.” Mr Osmond said that in view of the extremely dry condition of vegetation generally, no attempt should be made by householders to do any burning-off until after heavy rain had fallen.