FIRE BRIGADES

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18069, 19 March 1923, Page 8

FIRE BRIGADES

TO THE EDITOR OP THE “HERALD.” Sir—ln reply to Mr Waldie, senior judge, re the Fire riga ® s events held at the b lo ™ l * l strations regarding my statement to the chairman of the Board, that it would be a retrograde step to send a team to compete, I still adhere to that statement. In the tirst place, the U.F.B.A. events to-day belong to a generation of the past so far as the Timaru Brigade is concerned, with its present modern fire-iighting equipment. Outside the four cities we are one of the best equipped brigades in the Dominion, thanks to the Timaru Fire Board. We have two Dennis motors, with turbine pumps, first-aid pump and Bealey extension ladder. The U.F.B.A. events are only for hand-reel brigades, which are nearly all standardised; some so far back as fortv years ago, and are sail on tne programme, and probably may be on for another forty years unless the U.F.B.A. will find the courage to clean the slate, and place events on the programme that will suit all brigades modernly equipped or otherwise. . ... j Now, sir 1 , I am not saying that hand reel brigades should not be catered for. They are still in the majority, and it is only right that events should be placed on the programme for those so equipped. But at the same time the Association should cater for those more modernly equipped, and with, conditions more modern. The As.sociation compels brigades competing at demonstrations to run hose out with the female end of coupling, which was all right years ago, but to-day is out of date. Then again the hose, hydrant, and union event for five men, hose, hydrant and union for three men, hose, hydrant, and • ladder for five men, hose reel flat for five men, coupling event for two men, are all events 1 ran in thirty years ago. All the events except the modern hand reel event are standardised, and are Carried on from one demonstration to another with the same methods and conditions, and very little hope of being changed. At present there are about 140 brigades affiliated with the Association, and if the “Otago Daily Times” reported correctly, I notice that the most that-competed in any five man event was 30. . » Now, sir, I think this is conclusive proof that the interest in the U.F.8.A.is on the wane. You will notice that such modernly equipped brigades as Auckland City, Napier, Hastings, New Plvmouth, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Wellington City and Christchurch City sent one man- —the first for years (even Dunedin City did not ‘enter a team) and this shows that the modern equipped brigades are losing interest in the Association, Perhaps senior judge Waldie can explain the absence of these brigades, and why these, old events are placed on the programme year after year. , In.conclusion, one word in regard to Deputy-Superintendent Salmond, Of Dunedin City, who assisted in drawing up the events for the competition. I was associated with’ that gentleman for four years on the executive, and he is a gentleman for whom I. have the greatest regard. He is one who never tired in trying to modernise our Association. When a programme is drawn up by a committee of firemen in the town where the demonstration is to be held', it finally has to be submitted to tbe U.F.B.A. executive for their approval. Anything new introduced does not always meet with favour. When the programme was drawn up for the Timaru demonstration ,the committee introduced a two into one union, which would have been a great benefit to brigades, not only for competitions but for practical fire-fighting purposes. It was at once.rejected by the executive. The Association still hangs on to the useless one into two union and is used in nearly every event on the programme Hoping that ex-horse driver Waldie will be a little enlightened on the subject why modern .brigades are not competing at U.F.B.A. competitions. * —I am, etc., P. CAMPBELL, Supt., Timaru Fire Brigade. March IG, 1923.