NEW PLYMOUTH FIRE BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 55, 30 March 1909, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH FIRE BOARD

JXSPECTORGEXEKAL'S HEPOiiT. I At yesterday Is meeting of the New Plymouth Kin" Hoard the following report was rreived from the Inspector of Kire Brigade:- "I have the honor to forward for the information of your Hoard, a report in connection with my recent * i—it of iu-pceuon and dealing with the general cllieiomy of your Brigade. At u.27 p.m. on Tuesday, January sth, I caused the lire-bell at the central station to In' rung mid directed the Brigade to get .;,, unik with two deliveries at a certain position in Vivian street, about three •hundi.-d yards distant from the station. The lirst water was shown full on at 9.30.3;! p.m. At 11.37 p.m. the Brigade was mustered and it was found that the superintendent, deputysuperintendent, and 1!) men were in atI tendance.

"The Brigade was again mustered upon their return to the station at fl.4ii p.m., when 27 members, including officers, answered the roll call. At the inspection muster On the following night at 8 p.m. 31 members, including officers, were in attendance.

"The time .from the first toll of the bell at 9.27 p.m. until the water was shown, 3min 22sec, was very creditable. The muster oi the Brigade, two officers and 19 men at 9.37 p.m., or ten minutes from the first call was very satisfactory.' The number of members who attended the two following musters was also very satisfactory. The plant concentrated was ample for the supposed purpose. "Upon inspecting the plant and appliances 1 lind they arc maintained m good order and condition. The required work was carried out in a smart anil workmanlike manner. The Brigade were totally unaware of my presence in yom town, and the prompt response to the false alarm, combined with the good musters, prove that the members of the Brigade take an active interest in the work. Referring to my previous recommendations 1 lind that the use of larger bore has been adopted and band pumps have been ordered, but thvrc should be a more systematic course of drills established in connection with rescue work, resuscitation of unconscious persons, etc. A plan of the reticulation of the town, with diameters oi' the mains and the static pressure at various points shown thereon, should be provided for the information of tlie officers and men of the Brigade. This knowledge is very necessary, enabling tire brigade officers to decide correctly how many deliveries may be safely or efficiently taken from the mains in the vicinity of the fire."