VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3544, 30 September 1926, Page 3

VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OUTLINED.

The local Fire Board has unanimously approved the formation of a local Fire Police Corps and endorsed the personnel. In an address delivered to the delegates of the United Fire Brigades Association at the annual conference, held at Dunedin, in March last, Captain Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades in referring to fire police, said: — ‘Tn the first place it is essential that members of the corps should be well-trained men of some standing in the town, thus already having a certain amounut of authority with the public. It has come to my knowledge that persons in the above category who have been approached, but the conditions not properly explained to them, consider it Somewhat infra dig. to enroll in such a body. On the contrary, it is a position entailing considerable responsibility; they are sworn in as special constables, and have all the authority of a constable whilst on duty at a fire. Members are not asked to do the work of the firemen, nor arc they expected to run from one end of the town to the other to every alarm of fire; their activities are desired more in the neighbourhood of their own residences or business premises—anything further lies in their own discretion. Their duties are, for instance, to keep the public in order —prevent them interfering with or hindering the work of the brigade; to take charge of and direct, whilst the brigade is otherwise occupied, any necessary salvage work, thus preventing the unnecessary damage to property so often caused by irresponsible persons during such operations; to prevent the thieving common on the occurrence of large fires; to see salvaged property placed in safety; to take charge of firemen,/or civilians injured at fires; in cases of fires of magnitude where the help of citizens is necessary, to control and direct such help. In the above and many other ways, directly and indirectly, the corps is a valuable asset to any town. The only expenditure necessary is the cost of an armlet to be canned in the pocket, and placed around the upper left arm when on duty at a lire. In every town there are some men more or less independent in the matter of time at their own disposal, and it is up to them to enroll, in the interest and for the benefit of their town and fellow-citizens, and in some degree assist in reducing the general fire waste.”