WOMEN ASSIST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 173, 24 July 1942, Page 6

WOMEN ASSIST

FIRE WATCHING DUTIES

Women are playing an important and useful part in Auckland in connection with fire watching. They are giving their services in a voluntarv capacity, but must be members of the E.P.S. In some cases they have daylight service only, including Saturdays and Sundays, but others are on duty for portions of the evenings. The reason why women are required is that manpower has been severelv taxed by the needs of the Home Guard and military requirements. The Auckland Fire Controller, Mr. J. J. Kingston, said to-day that many firms had not sent in lists of their personnel, and the central office was awaiting those to see what firms had an excess, so that men could be posted to places that were short. Mr. Kingston added that some men had meticulously observed the orders of the Chief Warden, and had carried out their duties since December last in a way that was an object lesson to others, who had put objections in the way*, on the ground of so-called sacrifice. When a test was made in a portion of the city area last Sunday, it was found that a number of buildings were short of fire guard requirements. Mr. Kingston said there were now five permanent women in the fire service, and a further 65 engaged on watch room and control room duties in connection with the emergency fire service.