FIRE-FIGHTERS IN BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 24339, 21 January 1941, Page 5

FIRE-FIGHTERS IN BRITAIN

Compulsory Service Introduced PROBLEM PRESENTED BY INCENDIARY RAIDS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, January 19. The Minister of Home Security, Mr Herbert Morrison, in a broadcast, declared that the problem of the incendiary raids by night had not yet been solved. Yet more fire fighters were needed. The compulsory measure now adopted would enable the ranks to be filled. . , Mr Morrison explained that he was taking upon himself the power to impose compulsory part-time service in all branches of the Civil Defence Force for men and women between the ages of 16 and 60 years. For the time being these powers would be used only for the Fire Prevention Service for the countering of fire-bombs. Also, for the time being, this power would apply, to men only within the age limits which the Minister would determine. The amount of compulsory service required was not to exceed 48 hours a month and this order would apply in all areas where the risk of fire raid was likely to be great. “The scheme provides that residential as well as industrial and commercial premises and all occupiers of factory and office buildings in the area to which the order applies will be required to make satisfactory arrangements for fire prevention and in particular to ensure that enough people are available and each with an allotted task,” said the Minister. “There will be a general obligation upon men of all grades, including the management, to take a turn of duty in fire-bomb fighting outside normal working hours. For this service they are not entitled to remuneration. If arrangements either on a voluntary or compulsory basis are not made by the occupier an appropriate authority is empowered to step in and make them, charging the occupier with any expenses involved. RESIDENTIAL PROTECTION “Compulsory service at a place of work takes precedence over compulsory service at a place of residence, but those already doing 48 hours’ Civil Defence Service monthly in a residential area will not be liable to be called upon for duty at their place of work. For residential protection each local authority to whose area the order applies will be required to organize parties of fire-bomb fighters to cover all that part provided its area is other than factory or commercial premises. A

regional commissioner will decide which Iccal authorities in certain areas have not, at that stage, enough -olunteers serving to operate the schemes. In. those areas, which he considers insufficiently staffed, he will direct the local authority to require men in certain age groups to register. The local authority will then give out a public notice to say that all men thus registered are to be called up for fire prevention duties.” Mr Morrison said that the blows and buffetings administered by the Nazis during the first half of the winter had done nothing to weaken or daunt the British people, who could say to themselves, “Well done, so far.” He emphasized the fact that, however brilliant the triumphs abroad might be, the Battle of Britain still remained the first issue and must be won. “First of all we must ward off and beat back the advance guards of invasion—the air raiders who nightly attack our cities and now are increasingly using their latest and greatest weapon, showers of fire-bombs,” he said. “Already hundreds of thousands of men and women who have responded to my New Year Eve appeal have accomplished much. No fire raid this year has succeeded as it would have done without these volunteers and some of the raids have shown the enemy a very poor return for his efforts. But the problem has not yet been solved. The ranks must be filled.”