FIRE PROTECTION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 21 September 1938, Page 8

FIRE PROTECTION

ADMINISTRATION CHANGES MODIFIED PROPOSALS OUTLINED PLAN EMBODIES SWEEPING REFORMS Details of the modified, proposals for the reform of fire-fighting administration in the Dominion are made available in the annual report of the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Mr R. Girling-Butcher, - which has just been published. The proposals embody drastic changes in the present system of fire-protection administration, including the handing back of control to municipalities, except in metropolitan areas; the formation of a Central Fire Council in Wellington, exercising a supervision over expenditure and inspection; and an important alteration in the methods of financing the new fire control authorities.

In detail these proposals, which are to be further considered, follow: 1. That the administration of the fireprotection service in existing fire districts be handed back to the municipal authorities, except in the Metropolitan areas, or where, by reason of the continuity of their respective districts, it is desirable that one authority should control the fire-protection service of the combined areas. . 2 That all municipal districts (whether boroughs or town boards), which are not already fire-districts and which have, or are prepared to establish, a water-supply "which is reasonably effective for fire-fighting purposes and a fire-brigade organisation, be empowered to constitute their districts as fire districts. - . , ~ 3. That provision be made for the setting up by the municipal authority of a Fire Brigade Committee consisting of not less than three members of the municipal authority. Such Fire Brigade Committee would, subject to such modifications as are considered necessary, have all the powers and duties of a fire board under the existing Fire Brigades Act. Provision should be made that the Fire Brigade Committee may, arid if required by the Ministejr shall, co-opt not more tnar two representatives of insurance companies resident in the district. 4. That, in order to give the insurance companies the share in the control of the fire service justified by their contributions, a Central Fire Council be established in Wellington, this council to consist of not less than five representatives, elected by the insurance companies, one member nominated by the Municipal Association, one member nominated by the United Fire Brigades' Association, and not more than twc members appointed by the Government 5. The functions of the Central Council would be—To consider and approve the annual estimates of expenditure in fire districts and the general provision made for fire-protection. To arrange for the inspection of brigades to an extent sufficient to establish a reasonable measure of co-ordination and standardisation of plant, equipment jand train»ing. To * carry out researcn work in the organisation and training of brigades and the development of plant and equipment for fire-fighting purposes. 6. That, in order to provide.the necessary liaison between the local authority administering the fire-protec-tion service and the Central Council, arrangements should be made that copies of all executive and technical reports submitted to the Fire Brigade Committee, and on which their decisions are based, should be forwarded to the Central Council. 7. That the costs of the local fireprotection service be divided equally between the Municipal Authority and the insurance companies operating in the district —levies to be made on the latter in the same manner as under the existing legislation, and that the cost of the Central Fire Council be met out of the Government grant.

8. That, in order to limit the liability of the contributing local authority a maximum be prescribed for the annual expenditure which could be enforced in each Are district, such maximum to be fixed by reference to the population on the lines suggested in the last report, on an empirical basis by schedule to the act. or other suitable means; and that provision be made that this limit of expenditure shall nol be exceeded except with, the consent of the municipality, the Central Council, and the Minister. 9. That in the event of a difference of opinion arising between the Central Council and the Fire Brigade Committee of the municipality, the council would have a right to have an investigation made by a member, and. if necessary, a technical representative also whose expehses would be paid on the same basis as those of insurance member* of fire boards under existing legislation. In the; event of failure to agree after this investigation and discussion with the Fire Brigade Committee, the. question at issue to be decided by arbitration, 10. That, with respect to the raising of loan moneys, provision be made that except in the case of united fire districts, loans for fire protection purposes will be raised by the municipality. This will enable them to be treated as trustee, securities, which is not possible under the existing legislation. ._ ill. That the estimates of expenditure of the independent controlling authorities existing under the amended legislation be forwarded to the Central Council for review. In the event of it being determined to maintain the existing system of ministerial approval of all fire-district estimates, such estimates to be forwarded through the central council, which shall have the right of comment and recommendation of the Minister.

Insurance Members' Position

Mr Girling Butcher's report also con tains some interesting comments on the progress of discussions on the original proposals for'reform. He states; The views expressed by the underwriters were, first, that the amalgamation of the existing fire boards, either with the local authority for the district, or with other non-contiguous fire boards in e regional area, would not lead to increased efficiency, and second, that the existing system of independent fire boards had a definite advantage in that the insurance representatives on these boards were able to bring some degree of expert knowledge to assist in the development of and administration of the fire-protection service." Dealing with the services of,insurance members of fire boards, the report states, inter alia: "There appears, moreover, to have been no attempt on the part of the insurance members to sel up any definite standards of equipment training, or organisation for towns oi varying Dopulation, fire-fighting conditions and property at risk. This is one of the most important and valuable functions which could„ have been expected from these members and one which., had it existed generally, would have gone a long way to justify the existing system of independent fire board control."