FIRE RRIGADES’ CONCLAVE

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17654, 7 March 1929, Page 8

FIRE RRIGADES’ CONCLAVE

AN UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS. HIGHER STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY IMPORTANT REMITS APPROVED. The jubilee conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association was marked by unprecedented success. Tile value of such a gathering of firefighting experts cannot be over-esti-mated and the wealth of know-ledge gained by the Hamilton Superintendent Mr. A. Craig, wilt stand him in good stead in his control of the Hamilton district.

The demonstration events, in the opinion of Mr. Craig, arc rapidly becoming more practical and these demonstrations were of vital importance in the education of New Zealand Brigades. Motor events were now included on the programme. The modern flre-flghling methods employed indicated the high standard of proficiency tlie Brigades of the Dominion had reached.

An important remit to meet with the approval of the conference was: “That flre-flghting appliances, whether petrol driven or otherwise, and irrespective of ownership should be placed on the exempted tax list, seeing that when these vehicles are on the road they are out on public service.” Storage of Explosives.

Another remit states: “That this conference recommends Iho responsible department to have permission made that where explosives are stored in any building, such explosives shall he kept in a fireproof compartment, one wall of which shall be an external wall with a door opening out and fastened on the outside." The advisory Superintendent in his report to the conference stated that the tendency in almost every brigade was lo reach a higher state of efficiency and where this spirit prevailed il was natural that better results were achieved. The Dominion had not improved its position in the record of fire losses in Ihe world—in fact the loss was still increasing. This was a very serious matter for a young country and immediate steps should he taken to remedy the position, it was the bounden duty of every citizen to assist the association to bring about better results, yet ils officers found it very difficult to arouse interest among legislators and local bodies. In older countries this was not the case. Serious Position. The seriousness of the position in New Zealand warranter! Ihe setting up of a commission to investigate. Three of the largest, brigades in the Dominion cost over 11272,000 for upkeep for a period, of six years and during that same period had a fire loss of over £806,000, and the losses were .well under-estimated. To obtain the best results from their fire service, Mr Craig continued, the public would require lo he educated to the fact that fires were preventable, and 'that a little ordinary care might save much money and property. He urged the necessity for holding a “ Fire Prevention Week ” and the enlightening of the public as to the importance of taking great care and using every effort to provide better means of fire prevention. It was regrettable that [he Director of Education’s promise to incorporate with the approved system of fire lessons and drills for schools in the new syllabus was not approved. A golden opportunity of rendering a national service to the community as a whole had been lost.