FIRE FIGHTERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17966, 11 March 1930, Page 9

FIRE FIGHTERS.

ANNUAL INSPECTION. A CREDIT TO THE TOWN. BRIGADE WARMLY PRAISED. •Hamilton has every reason to feel proud of its fire fighting facililies and it is due solely io a highly trained and efficient brigade that no disastrous fires have occurred to 'sully the pages of Hamilton’s modern history. Tiie Hamilton Fire Brigade lias earned a ; reputation shared by few units of its size in ‘New Zealand, but tills enviable status has been gained only by strict attention to constant practice. The brigade, of twenty-five strong, was seen at its best last evening on the occasion of the annual inspection by thc Government Inspector of Fire Brigades in New Zealand, Mr T. I'. Hugo. Keyed up to the highest pitch of efficiency the fire fighters of Hamilton excelled themselves and it must have been a source of keen gratification to the Superintendent to note the wav in which the various drills were performed without a hitch. “I am .very pleased indeed at your display,” remarked Inspector Hugo, in a brief address to the men at the conclusion of tiie inspection. “It Is a credit to yourselves as well as to your officers, he added. Referring to the importance of drill, the Inspector pointed out that it was not so much the ability of a brigade to cope with an outbreak that earned the respect of the citizens of a town, as the 'Conduct and discipline of the men. In the opinion ol the public lliis feature of an efficient brigade made all the difference. It was this that made a brigade's appearance a welcome sight in the streets of any town. The most interesting pari of the evening’s programme was the hose, ladder and pump drill in Hood Street, of which the Inspector was a keen spectator. Last Word In Efficiency. The inspection, which was conducted very much on similar lines to the usual fortnightly parade, was the last word in efficiency, and the clockwork precision with which the men took their various stations was indeed a fitting tribute to Superintendent A. Craig and his able officers, Deputy Superintendent J. N. Irvine and Foreman S. Davis. Following a close inspection of brigade equipment and members’ accoutrements the general alarm was given, and botli engines dashed, out of the station fully manned. It was a thrilling display. On the return of tiie engines a jumping-sheet exhibition was staged, in which a brigadesman jumped from tiie station balcony into the sheet held stretched out below by his comrades. Two squads, controlled on the gunsquad principle, gave further evidence of their general efficiency. At the word of command tiie extension ladders and hose-lengths were speedily detached from Ihc respective engines, the ladders were mounted against a nearby building, and the “dummy” fire soon extinguished. Two powerful jets of water, rising in a height of over 100 feet, presented a line spectacle. Each hose is 100 feet, in length, and as flic engines carry 14 and 12 lengths respectively, it will be 'seen that no matter the magnitude of an outbreak there is little likelihood of a shortage of hose. As a stand-by 1900 feet of hose is stored in the station. Interesting Equipment. An interesting part of the brigade equipment is the first-aid outfit. In order to cope with small fires a small hose is utilised, fed by thirty gallons of water carried in the engine. This equipment has proved invaluable in the brigade’s borough activities. The strength of the brigade is 2 5 men, four of whom are on the permanent list, the others being auxiliary members. Ten firemen live on tiie premises, Hie other 15 being connect- j ed direct to the station .by means of a j specially installed circuit telephone system. This system is used in the late hours of the night and in the early hours of tlie morning, and besides proving an ideal method of summoning the men, obviates the necessity of utilising the siren. Brigade members residing at the station have ample. opportunity for recreation, a spacious, comfortable room being equipped with! a billiard table and a wireless set, both of which arc the property of tiie members of the brigadeThe fireman’s kit is not an elaborate one, but for utilitarian purposes can scarcely be bettered. The specially constructed brass helmet and Hie axe and spanner have proved indispensable through the years of Are-fighting experience. One member of the Hamilton Brigade is fully qualified in first-aid work, while others have received instruction in this important adjunct under the brigade's lion, surgeon, Dr. F. D. Pinfold. , Fire Police Corps. An inspection of the Fire Police Corps was also made by the Inspector, who thanked them for their able assistance lo I lie brigade in imporUnl duties, namely, Hie safeguarding of property. There were, he said, 17 fire police corps in New Zealand, and lie had realised flic value of their cooperation. Statistics to hand showed that insured loss by fire amounted !o over £5,600,000 in the last five years in this Dominion, so that when uninsured loss was taken into consideration £6,500,000 damage had been done by fire in tlmt period. TheTs was an important work —that of preventing the public from ihc brigade in the execution of its duty. The captain of the corps, Mr Cooper, thanked the inspector and explained that the corps had been in existence for sonic throe years, with a membership of 20. 11, was a source of gratification to receive a little encouragement, for their clTorls. The display, which altraeled a gallery of onlookers, was watched with considerable interest by Mr 7. Gilbert, acting-chairman of the board, and Mr j. Parlane, patron of I lie brigade.