NEW FIRE STATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 122, 17 February 1920, Page 3

NEW FIRE STATION

FOR WELLINGTON SOUTH BUILDING DESCRIBED The City Corporation's new Wellington South Fire Brigade Station has beou completed, and although the staff las entered into occupation, tho official <>pening has yet to ba arranged for. '< he structure stands at the.top of Constable Street on a site admirably suited for tho requirements of the building. .A great advantage- is gained by the fact that tho firo engines are enabled to obtain a speedy start down the hill. Ever since the southern suburbs of Wellington began to increase their papulation, the need for a moro efficient and larger fire-fighting organisation to protect tho now residential areas was felt, and it can safely be snid thai tho new station will fulfil requirements for years to come. Much foresight.has been used iu planning tho structure. Not only is it equipped on modern' lines from a residential point of view, hut there has teen introduced a porfectly arranged method of access to the fire engines from any portion .of the building.. Superintendent Tait, who is responsible for tho planning and arrangement of the new structure, recently explained the advantages of tho building to a Dominion representative. Well realising the requirements 'of the city, Mr. Tait was able to give valuable assistance to the City Engineer's staff,.in deciding on the form tho new station would take,- and every detail, including the comfort of the men now stationed there wn-s fully provided for. It is a model station, and one which, the capital city might well bo proud of.

Walking round the interior, one is im- . mediately impressed with tho thoroughness of the organisation. Tho watch office, where alarms' are received, is a spacious, well-lighted room, containing a- double indicator cabinet similar to that at the Central Station, and next tn that is a smaller room, containing all the wires, etc.,. connected to the cabinet. The area to be occupied by the fire engines is large, and three alcoves have been provided in the rear wall in order .that six engines. can be accommodated •without crowding. The main'office, lite rary, and, storeroom, all separate, open on 'to tho area, whero the engines .are and leading directly from the station is a doorway to a room containing the men's lockers. .Here convenience has been the ' essence of tho arrangement. The ,meii coming in wet or dirty from a fire can obtain a change of uniform from their respective lockers, and also can liave a hot or cold shower or hot or cold bath. There are half-a-do«n showers and three baths, as well as other conveniences.. Attached to the same quarters, is a largo drying room, provided ■with steam healing appliances and racks for hanging up wet uniforms, hoots, etc. After their change and bath, tho men can proceed direct to their respeetivo quarters without again entering the actual station.

In addition to the accommodation provided for tho officer in charge of the station, and for l(j single men, there fire also provided nino separate married charters, and their arrangement speaks volumes for.,the consideration given to the personal comfort of tho families in occupation. Eacli married quarter is entirely self-contained. Each consists of\a large bedroom with a built-in wardrobe and a fireplace, a living room, bathroom, kitchen, pantry, and washhouse. A few. have an extra small room, and sticJi quarters are to be assigned to the senior married men. The arrangement of the doors is that they all open in the direction of the pole giving acccs? to the rtatirfn. This enables tho men to run straight through without any chance of losing time through doors opening inwards. \Thc married quarters are arranged on the ground, first, and second floors, thosb occupying the second floor having their wash-houses and yards on the roof, which is divided off. Tho single men aro accommodated on the first floor in the front of the building, and their sleeping quarters' consist of four large, airy, and light rooms, fitted up with built-in wardrobes. They also have immediate access from their rooms to the billiard or social room, which is .large enough to accommodate three large-sized "billiard tables. There aro also largo built-in cupboards for the men's t.-wn use. Their bathrooms, showers, and other conveniences ore,all situated close to their quarters, direct communication being provided. There is also set aside for the men a guests' cloalc room, for the use of lady visitors. Everything is thoroughly modern, and no expense has been spared in providing for tho personal comfort of all.

Tho arrangement cf the poles for speedy access to the fire engines wills for special mention. There are four such poles, one leading from eacli end of the billiard or social room. (for the use- of the single men), one from the married quarters on the first floor, and '■•no from the married quarters on the second iloor. Experience has proved that one pr mora poles running from the top of the building with access provided at <-:ach lloor, are conducive, to accidents, and it was to obviate such possibilities and the resultant confusion that separate poles vere provided at tho new station. The man on tho top iloor can slide down his polo without any fear of meeting anyone halfway, and the man on the "next lloor has a similar advantage. There is a portio>- of tho roof which is set aside as an exercise ynrd for tha men where, when, the weather is i'.he, they will 'he drilled. This is entirely separate from, tho roof yards of the married quarters, which are liigher up, and stand at the back. From (his inof a splendid view of the extensive irea which the station is designed to protect can be obtained. The view emphasises the great advantage of having the station at such a commanding.point where tho engines can depart in eithef'direction down hill. Near the new fetation is a workshop containing all (lie necesfary appliances and material for. carrying out repair work and other jobs. The workshop has accommodation for a fire engine requiring painting or repair to engine trouble. Tin's building is built on the same level as the lirst floor of the main building, si that if would not be out of place should the station at any time have to be extended. Some-little, excavation' work has yet to be done near the workshop to complete the access. Both private and tradesmen's entrances are.provided for all quarters, with an entire absrnco of inconvenience to the station staff. . While the new station is in occupation, it is not quite ready for the official opening ceremony. The old Wellington fiouth station, s : tuated at the corner of Johns Street and Adelaide Bond. 11 now closed down. A sub-station at Kilblrnio has also, been closed as a. result of the opening of the now shlion, and at a latei date it is proposed to create a new sub-station near the Minimal- (Kiting on the city side of the hill.