FIRE BRIGADE AFFAIRS

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 186, 19 August 1955, Page 1

FIRE BRIGADE AFFAIRS

The Taupo Businessmen's Association, following the recent public meeting called to consider Fire Brigade affairs, has sent a letter to the Dominion Fire Council, Wellington, urging that the old fire engine known as the "Mule" be retained in Taupo, as an auxiliary water-carri«r-Copies of the letter have been sent to the Hon. ,S. W. Smith, the Hon. D. J. Eyre, the Hon. E. H. Halstead, Mr R- Boord, M.P. (Rotorua), the Taupo County Commissioner and the Taupo Urban Fire Committee. The letter reads as follows : "At a special meeting of the executive committee of the above association I was instructed to write to your council, and express our deep concern at the proposed withdrawal of the 400 gallon water tanker unit from the Taupo Volunteer Fire Brigade. "The new Landrover and trailer is very welcome, but its carrying capacity of 40 gallons will be of little avail for fire-fighting in Taupo and district, as no wTater supply is yet installed in Taupo, and owing to the sparse nature of situation of residences the availability of water at the scene of fires becomes a major problem, and we feel that this is where the old tanker unit is worth its weight in gold to the local brigade. "During the fire season, when the fire risk in this area is very great, the availability of water from tanks in the neighbourhood is meagre. Tanks are more empty than full and little assistance can be counted on from this source. "It is possible that, according to your policy, this tanker is supernumerary to establishment for a district such as ours now that the Landrover has been allotted, but we would point out that this district is unique in that with such low humidity during summer and the proximity of so much scrub and broom surrounding, and — to a lessening extent — within, the borough, fire-fighting becomes a heavy responsibility. To deprive the township of the services of the unit in question is — to our way of thinking — beyond reasoning, particularly as has been explained by yonr Mr Varley, that the tanker is not to be used by any other fire-fighting authority and that there is no further use for it. "We would respectfully and urgently request you to reconsider your decision to withdraw the tanker, and suggest that at least it be left with the local Volunteer Fire Brigade until such time as water supply in Taupo is available. "We would point out that the brigade here is responsible for a large and extended outlying area of high fire risk, from Wairakei in the north to Waitahanui in the south, apart from areas to the west and east of the borough. "In the event of a major conflagration, no help from outside could reach Taupo within at least 1^ hours, and this on its own is a very serious consideration. "So far as telephonic communication is concerned we would point out that a manual exchange system operates and the exchange is closed from midnight until 6 a.m. "We trust you will give this matter your urgent consideration and can see your way clear to leave the 400-gallon mobile tanker unit with the local Volunteer Fire Brigade."