BRIGADE’S BUSY MONTH

Evening Star, Issue 20053, 19 December 1928, Page 2

BRIGADE’S BUSY MONTH

TOO MANY CHIMNEY FIRES BOABD’S FINAL MEETING. The Dunedin Fire Brigade had a very busy month, an average of nearly two calls a day being answered. Fourteen calls were to chimney fires, and in his report to tho board yesterday afternoon, the superintendent pointed out to citizens tho need for more care of chimneys. It was the board’s final meeting for tho year, and there were present:— Messrs J. Wilson (chairman), W. A. Scott, J. L. Salmond, F. T. Anderson, and A. Burn. Superintendent A. G. Napier in his report stated that 48 > calls had been received by the City Fire Brigade during the past month. Of this number 13 were actual fires on property, 14 were chimney fires, 9 were bush and rubbish fires, and 5 were automatic false alarms —two justifiable false alarms and five malicious false alarms. There was nothing • that called for special mention unless it was the number of chimney fires, which he considered to be excessive for this time of the year. The citizens could with benefit to all concerned be more careful in the matter of keeping chimneys clean. That there were five false alarms was to be regretted, but having regard to the widely-scattered fire alarm call points the number was not excessive, although it was to be deplored that there were any such dangerous calls. A very considerable sum had had to be asked for to bear the cost of reconditioning the plant of the brigade, but bo wm, quite confident that the money had been spent to the best advantage. The machines were called upon to do very heavy work without tho preliminary of warming up. Tho motors were at all times very severely taxed in consequence. The stations were in good order. Certain repairs were being carried out at the Bomb Dunedin station. The motors of the St. John Ambulance transport had attended 97 calls during tho month. The machines had covered 1 697 miles. The report was approved. Members commented on the high total of calls for the month, and the Chairman pointed out that the practice of registering malicious false alarms was still prevalent. Seasonal greetings from the staff and tho board were exchanged. The next meeting was fixed for February 19.