FIRE APPLIANCES TESTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5027, 15 September 1926, Page 2

FIRE APPLIANCES TESTED

TRIAL MADE AT THE PUKE.

RESULTS DEEMED SATISFACTORY.

A trial of the. new motor fire-reel, and also the bell, was made at 9.30 o’clock last night. The false alarm was entirely unknown to the fire brigade members, but at the) wish di the Paeroa Fire Council Captain W. Moore, superintendent of the brigade, was apprised of the intention, and he carried out the operation with the same zeal and promptitude as if it had been a genuine alarm. The location of the scene of the fire was near Mr H. M. Shand’s residence, in Moore Roa.d, where a touch of realism was given by the lighting of a heap of rubbish. The test was carried out with, very satisfactory results. Within six minutes of the 1 fi r t peal of the bell the motor-reel, with equipment complete, and carrying nine, firemen, was on the scene and had water playing on the flames. The time that elapsed between the peal of the’ bell and the engine leaving the fire station was barely two .minute's. The hose was coupled on to the new four-inch main in Moore Road, and a splendid pres-, sure df water .was obtained. The firebell ha.s recently been mounted on two 30ft poles;, and despite the fact that a north-westerly wind was blowing the alarm was- heard quite clearly by residents at the Puke. The motor-reel, skilfully driven by Fireman W. Malcolm, fulfilled all that was demanded of it.

It is now possible to fight a fire in the Puke area with a reasonable chance of success. The modern firefighting appliances,, combined with the fdur-inch water reticulation in that area, indicate a forward stepi and one that cannot be too highly commended.