E.P.S. ORGANISATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 184, 24 November 1941, Page 5

E.P.S. ORGANISATION

REPORT BY CHAIRMAN j PREPARATIONS IN BOROUGH His Worship the Mayor, chairman of the Whakatane Borough Emergency Precautions Scheme Organisation, to give a lead to the personnel already enrolled and which met on Thursday night to further the preparations presented the following report, on which he sought cussion. "1 consider that the time has arrived when it is desirable that action should be taken further to build up the Borough Emergency Precautions Organisation. Whether or not we consider that the service may ever be called upon to junction under emergency conditions is secondary to the fact that preparation in detail is a responsibility which we must uoav assume. Accordingly I AAUjli to detail the plan of organisation which I have in mind; suggestions for improvement Avill be welcomed. It appears most practicable to establish a system of sectional activity and responsibility with the activities of each, section of the service clearly defined and co-ordinated and directed generally through a small central committee. In. the terms of the Regulations the Borough Council is the responsible authority in relation to the scheme, and I propose accordingly that councillors shall be attached to the responsible and directing personnel of ea'Jh section of th«* service. The different sections shall be as follows:— Medical and Health: Dr Dawson, Cr Sullivan and T. A. Bridger. Works and Wardens: Councillor Shaplcy and W. S. Henderson. Electricity: Councillor Canning and F. W. Lvsaght. Law and Order: Sgt. Farrell and C-r C'uminings. Communications (including messenger service): O. V. Lattimore and Cr C'aisley. Supply and Rccords; Crs Mulholland and Armstrong and D. G. McC'allum. Transports C'r Good and R. Canning . Reduced Lighting: Sgt. Farrell, J. D. Dicker and F. W. Lvsaght. General, including finance and evacuation: Mayor and D. V. Saunders. The functions of the Central Committee shall be to estimate the degree of emergency and direct the Section Committee as to the necessity for the full or partial working of their respective services, generally co-ordinating the work of al\ committees and as and wheie necessary directing and advising sections respecting their activities. I propose that the personnel shall comprise the Mayor and Councillors S. S. Shaplev, W T ., Sullivan and J. G. Mulholland and the Town Clerk. Another meeting of this committee will be held shortly, and in the meantime each section committee is requested to prepare for presentation thereat, a scheme in writing* for its owti activities complete to the smallest important detail, including transport and personnel requirements find dispositions. My own services and those of the secretary will be available to the respective committees and any necessary typing may be requested of the secretary. It is proposed that the Central Commiitee will then meet and consider the schemes, submitted with each committee concerned to ensure due synchronism of the different activities review enrolments and allot personnel. Thereafter it is proposed thai the Section Committees should forthwith instruct their personnel in de tail respecting their duties and gen ' erally ensure the prompt and effi I cient working of their section slioulc I necessity arise.'" 1 Following the discussion on tli< report it was ascertained that tli< section personnel named would b< altered only by the withdrawal o ' Messrs Armstrong. Mulholland an< 1 Henderson who- wished to remaii with the Home Guard. Mr Barr? ' stated that the first two named coul< r be replaced, but the difficulty arosi 5 with Mr Henderson whose service were very important to the E.P.S s However, he was very keen to re t main with the Home Guard, whicl t nlso greatly desired his services, ani following a discussion with th Commander of the Home Guard, M Barry siaid he had come to the con elusion that Mr Henderson shoul not be transferred providing an effi cient substitute could be provide to undertake his duties with th E.P.S.O. Mr Henderson had undei n . taken to give all assistance in th (Continued in nex! - « ? !n;<i n>