Fire Inquiry Report a Slur On Brigadesmen!

Grey River Argus, 1 September 1948, Page 7

Fire Inquiry Report a Slur On Brigadesmen!

DUNEDIN, August 31. “The Ballantyne’s Fire Commission has seen fit to cast unwarranted slurs upon the calibre and worth of fire brigadesmen of the Dominion, and members of the Dunedin Brigade take strong exception to their comments,” said Mr W. C. McDonnell, secretary of the Dunedin Fire Brigade , Employees Union to-day. “As far as we are aware, no evidence was called as to the ability or the standard of staffs outside Christchurch and to reach the conclusions such as it did without evidence is not. the function of a judicial body ” Although conditions of service, in the fire service had not always been of the best standard, the ability of the men of the Dunedin service had always been of the highest and had never been questioned, Mr McConnell said. On no occasion had there been a coronial inquiry in Dunedin. Among members of 'the staff- were men who had served their time as tradesmen'in many spheres and who had served their country in the Army Navy or Air Force. To say that applications to join the service would come only from those not really fit for skilled work was to insult a body of men whom all citizens admired for their public spirited and courageous service. RETIREMENT PLAN

He said the proposed compulsory retirement of firemen at the age of 55 had not tended to,encourage men to remain in the service, because there was no superannuation. Mr Medonnell said the commission’s comment on this aspect was well taken. No worker would be prepared to give of the best years of his life with the prospect of being thrown on the industrial scrapheap when he was 55. “The union opposes the proposed control of fire services by a commission of three persons”, Mr McDonnell added. “It believes that each brigade should be under local control though there is room for improvement in some aspects of administration. A school should be established where firemen and officers from all parts of the Dominion should attend for refresher courses periodically so that they should be kept up to date with the’ use of modern equipment and improved methods. No doubt the employment of an English fireman with experience in the blitzes would be helpful”. _______________