Steps To Prevent Fire Tragedies

Chronicle (Levin), 12 November 1948, Page 5

Steps To Prevent Fire Tragedies

Press Associatlonj

(Per

WELLINGTON, Nov. 'll. flic Govcrniucm is Uiking gcfive slcps lo iiu])li-iiu»n1 the general recomi.iendntiyn.s made by the Ballantyne I'ire ( 'ommi-siiui, said tlie Alinistor of Internal Affairs, IJon. W. E. Parry, i uiiight. The Aiunicipal Corporations Aiuendment Bill introdured in the ilouse tonight would enable effect to be given tio- reconimendalions on public sa/ety measures. Immcdiate steps were •being taken by the .Stiindards Institute io compff-ie ve-' parts of the standard code .idi'ng bvlaws with the \ iew of aooption by all niunicipalities of those parts of the code that refer to fire prevent ion measures and to the satetv of the public from fire hazards. "Tlie eiMujdetiou of these model bylaws which incliule plans for evacuaiion drills in addition to fire jirevent ion measures, will provide an up-to-date standard of fire protection whjch, it is hoped, will be readiiy adopted by all . e]ty and borougH councils, " said the ^lirnster. The (roverument was also giving -erious thought to the future organisa.ion of tlie fire services of New Zeaund and though it was not possible to utroduce ihe nece.ssary" legislation this -ession, tlie Government was giving aruest detailed consideration to the .'ei'oiiimendutions of tlie report relating to lire servire. At an early date a conrerence would be called to consider ■nore intensive training and instruction .'or fire brigade officers and nien, This niglit involve the estabiisliment of a • uecia! training station in Wellington .vhere regular instructional couraes j ould be lield so that brigadesnien .vould have the benefit of niodern fireighting technique gathered not only I'rom (ire fighting in Xew Zealand but tlso from experion-e. guined in over•eas countries. Such an innovation, he vas sure, would be appreciated by all irigadesmen, permanent and voluntoer ulike.

Other asjieets of tlie commission's 'eport were also under consideration by the departments concerued. The w^ientific and industrial Researeh Bepartment, in conjunction with the Ministry of Works, was considering a .•econiiuendatfon regarding tlie pse of soft libre board and investigating the possibility of making this widely used iniber sulistitute more fire resistant or building purposes. The st rengtheuiiig of the Factories Act in regard to guards against the | risk of lires in factories, was being in vestigated by. the Labour Departuient. Mr. Parry said the Government was very conscious of its duty to enspre that there was no repetition of the tragedy that befel Chris^-hurch last vear. Everv elfort \vould be made by the Government to ensure a greater measure ' of safety for employees and public alike. Much could, however, be done by every citizen becoining fir^ conscious and takijig immediata steps to see that the fire risk in every building is reduced to the absolute rpinjmum, that avenues of escape are kept clear at all times and that, in the event of n fire, the brigade is notifted promptly.