TIMARU FIRE BRIGADE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22475, 9 January 1943, Page 4

TIMARU FIRE BRIGADE

Activities Of Year Reviewed

Value Of Bucket Pumps Demonstrated

"When fires broke out in a number of buildings in Timaru during the year, the small hose lines and bucket pumps, which were installed in the buildings were brought into action immediately and did valuable work before the arrival of the Brigade, the fire damage being reduced to a minimum,” said Superintendent E. W. McCann when questioned by a i "Timaru Herald” representative yesterday in regard to the activities of the Timaru Fire Brigade last year. "During 1942 the Brigade responded to 65 calls, seven fewer than in 1941,” Superintendent McCann continued. "The total comprised: Property 15 (18 in 1941); chimney, 13 (31); gorse, grass, fences, rubbish, etc., 15 (15); justifiable false alarms, 11 (3); deliberate false alarms, 6 (1); special services rendered, 1 (1); motor-cars, 1 (3); out of fire district, 3 (0). Fortunate Early Calls "We have been fortunate in the business and industrial area of Timaru. in the absence of am' large fires. At two of the large flourmills when fires did occur, there was minor damage only, the Brigade receiving early calls. "Deliberate false alarms have been practically negligible over a period of years, but last year there was an increase. The co-operation of the public is sought in this matter, and a reward of £5 is offered for information leading to the conviction of any person giving a false alarm or for unauthorised interference with an alarm box. "During the year two additional trailer-pumps were commissioned, making a total of five. Other equipment obtained during the last 12 months includes several thousand feet of hose with couplings fitted, a deluge branch set, nozzles and branch standards, two hose-carrying trailers, and a Roberts cotnpressed air breathing set. which is the latest of this type of equipment. All waterway equipment is being changed over to the full two and a-half inch P.W.D. instantaneous standard fittings.”