FIRE PREVENTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21866, 20 January 1941, Page 6

FIRE PREVENTION

Compulsory Service In Britain By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, January 19. Mr Herbert Morrison announcing the Government’s new compulsory scheme for fire-bomb fighting, to-day explained he was taking power to impose compulsory part-time , service in all branches of the civil defence force for men and women between the ages, of 16 to 60. For the time being these powers would be used only in connection with fire prevention service for countering fire-bombs. Also for the time being the power woud apply to men only within age limits which the Minister would determine. The amount of compulsory service required is not to exceed 48 hours a month and the order will apply in ail areas where a fire raid is likely to be great. The scheme includes residential as well as industrial and commercial premises, and for industrial and commercial premises 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 each with an allotted task. There will be a general obligation upon men of all grades including the management to take a turn of duty in firebomb fighting outside normal working hours. For this service they will not be entitled to remuneration. If arrangements on either a voluntary or compulsory basis are not made by the occupier, the appropriate authority is empowered to step in and make them, charging the occupier with any expenses involved. Compulsory service at the place of work takes precedence over compulsory service at the place of residence, but those already doing 48 hours in the civil defence service a month in a resHential area will not be liable to be’ called upon for duty at the place of work. For residential protection each local authority to whose area the order applies will be required to organise parties of firebomb fighters to cover all that part of its area other than factory and commercial premises. The regional commissioner will decide which local authority areas have not at that stage enough volunteers serving to operate 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 public notice that all men thus registered are called up for fire prevention duties.