FIRE BRIGADES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4403, 17 March 1941, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADES

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. WORK OF IMMENSE VALUE. One hundred and thirtji fire-bri-gadesmen were represented at the annual conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association just concluded at Blenheim. Also present was the Under-Secretary of the Internal Affairs Department, Mr J. Heenan, and the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Mr Girling Butcher. In opening the conference, the President referred to the fact that large numbers of firemen throughout New Zealand were serving in the armed forces, and they would have the best wishes of all the brigades. The executive, he said, had had a strenuous year, the more so now that there were proposals to form auxiliary brigades to cope with the menace of fires caused through air raids. A high tribute to the men of the fire brigade service was paid by Mr Heenan. The firemen’s services, said Mr Heenan, were largely voluntary and there was no doubt that they rendered a wonderful service to the community. Emergency precautions work had been taken over from his Department which had originated the schemes, and as a matter of policy had been given to the Department for National Service. Mr Girling Butcher, a valuable officer, had been transferred to this department to control fire brigade work. The importance of interesting the public in the work of fire fighting could not be over-emphasised, and such an interest would be of immense value to the brigades themselves, even aftei- peace had been declared, as it would not doubt provide a ground for recruitment. Reference to the magnificent work carried out by the fire services in England was made by Mr Heenan and he knew that when the occasion arose in New Zealand the local firemen would deserve the same praise as was now being given the heroic firemen of England.