FIRE BRIGADE NOT OBLIGED TO GO OUT OF DISTRICT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 77, 20 April 1949, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADE NOT OBLIGED TO GO OUT OF DISTRICT

That the obligations of the Whakatane Fire Brigade are legally confined to property within the Borough unless extended by special agreement is a fact which might not be fully appreciated, and published reports concerning the recent fire at the business area at'Taneatua make it desirable that local residents should be apprised of the actual position.

The Whakatane Fire District comprises the Whakatane Borough solely and the activities of the brigade are financed by an annual Government contribution of £SO the balance of expenditure being advanced fifty-fifty by the Whakatane Borough Council and the Insurance Companies operating within the Borough. It is contrary to the general rule for this or other brigades to attend fires in contiguous areas unless by prior agreement % with the property owners concerned or the local authorities exercising jurisdiction within those districts. In this connection the local Board has agreements with Whakatane Board Mills Ltd. for attendance at fires at its property at jPiripai and with the Government for attendance at forest fires when called upon, sufficient men and equipment being retained for contingent service within the Fire District.

Concerning the attendance of the brigade at fires within the County, the Fire Board states that negotiations in 1947 between the Board and the County Council respecting the provision of additional plant to permit the extension of the brigade’s activities to the built-up areas within the County were fruitless. “Unless such a special arrangement exists and, consequential arrangements made,” said the Fire Board’s secretary yesterday, “a]£o in view of the risk of fire within the district where the brigade’s primary obligations rest, it is only in the most exceptional circumstances that the Board will permit the brigade to leave the town.

“Limited discretion Is vested by the Board in its chairman, and any request for the services of the brigade outside the Borough when received by a Brigade' Officer must be referred to him for decision.”