FIRE PROTECTION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 18, 16 October 1943, Page 6

FIRE PROTECTION

Proposed Augmented Unit At Johnsonville CARE OF MENTAL HOSPITAL AND BORSTAL Proposals affecting the fire protection of the Porirua Mental Hospital and the "Women’s Borstal institute at lakapn* came before the Wellington hire Board yesterday in a letter from the chief lire brigade inspector. Mr. R. Girling Butcher, who outlined his ideas as to what should be done to strengthen the fire-lighting forces operating in the John-sonville-Khandallah district, embracing attention to the two large institutions mentioned. , „,, He suggested that the E.lt .S. strength at Johnsonville should be increased to 22, and should be organized on the lines of a volunteer fire brigade working in the Johnsonville area. He also proposed that there should be stationed at Johnsonville a trailer pump, and a nose conveying unit (with powerful pump), which would serve the purpose of a proper nre engine; that a suitable section tor a station situated between the town board offices and the deutaf clinic be secured on a 21 years’ lease; and that a siren organization, coupled with the Khandajlah station, might be arranged, kucn an augmented unit could give the necessary fire protection to the Porirua Menta, Hospital and the Borstal Institute at The chairman, Mr. 8. S. Dean, said that the proposals in the latter covered many things and extended operations. He suggested that it should.be referred to a sub-committee for consideration and report. . , . “I want to enter a vigorous protest against these proposals,” said Mr. L. Glover. “It is obvious that Mr Butcher is sticking .to his babies, the E.F.S., and is dividing the force. If Johnsonville is to be given adequate fire protection, let us do it as a board. As it is, it is just a joke. There is to be. a deputation on this matter to the Minister. 3-kat will enable us to get down to bedrock. Mr. V. Edgar said he thought that a sub-committee would be able to get down to a proper basis. . Mr. Glover said that Mr. Butcher wanted this job done by the E.F.5.,. but it should be done with a proper unit of the brigade. , . . Mr. Dean said that as the protection from fire of the Porirua Mental Hospital and the Borstal Institute at Takapau was involved the whole business was one for serious consideration. New responsibilities for the protection of places 10 or 1a miles from the city were being thrust on the board. He thought the sub-commit-tee should go out to these places and have | a look round before the board committed itself. “If the E.F.S. were entrusted with a fire at the Porirua Mental Hospital, I don’t know what would happen, said Mr. Glover. “It has to be remembered that there will be no E.F.S. after the war,” said Mr. Dean. “They are . asking us to assume a big responsibility. There is a population of 2000 at Porirua.” The sub-committee set up consisted or the chairman, Mr. IV. J. Gaudin, and Mr. L. Glover. It was understood that the" brigade superintendent, Mr. Woolley, would visit both institutions, and report on the fire-fighting plant and the water supply. '•