NEW FIRE STATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19882, 8 March 1939, Page 4

NEW FIRE STATION

VISIT OF INSPECTION

BUSINESSMEN’S PARTY

The new Gisborne fire station was inspected by a party of businessmen consisting of members of the Chamber of Commerce and Borough Council yesterday afternoon, when an opportunity was taken by. members of the Fire Brigade and Fire Board to point out the various points of interest.

Although the fire station has not yet reached the final stage, it has been occupied by members of the brigade for the past two or three months, for the work was far enough forward to permit this without interfering with the putting on of the final touches by the contractor. There is still a little work to do, mostly of a minor nature.

No date has been fixed yet for the official opening of the building, which may depend upon the progress with the final stages of the work. The 20 or 30 businessmen who made the inspection yesterday were informed that the new building was larger than the old one, being 12ft. wider and 50 to 60ft. longer, permitting the installation of many new facilities and allowing a larger volunteer staff to be housed. Ten single men and two married men are now sleeping at the station, while four other married men are occupying the new houses at the back of the station, and a further one will be accommodated in another cottage within a stone’s throw of the building. Therefore, there will be 17 men either on the station or within very close call j during the night.

A parade room for use during wet weather and a workshop also, have been included in the new building, and, in fact, practically everything required for the station use is under the one roof. Outside a room for smoke practice has been erected under the bell tower, which also contains equipment for practice in firefighting. Amenities for the men living on the station are complete. In addition to the usual facilities, they have cooking equipment on the ground floor, where the single men’s quarters have been provided, and upstairs a large social hall should give the men ample scope for recreation. The visiting party came away with the impression that the new station had been thoroughly planned, and that the work had been well carried out. They were conducted through the building by the chairman of the Gisborne Fire Board, Mr. B. S. Bree, while Mr. S. Wildish, who is on the permanent staff, explained the working of siren equipment.