YOUNG MEN KEEN

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 9

YOUNG MEN KEEN

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS National emergencies, whether through enemy actions or disasters such as earthquakes, were the same as far as the fire brigade was concerned, said Mr. ' L. V. Gibson, superintendent of the Hawera Fire Brigade, when addressing a meeting of about 30 young men at Hawera last night. "Under normal conditions," he said, "the brigade personnel is adequate, but under extraordinary conditions that might arise in a time of war and have arisen in times of peace — the Napier earthquake— the services of young men to supplement the brigade and the dispatch system of the town would be of the greatest value." He and the Mayor, Mr. L. H. Clapham, congratulated the young men on the way they had offered themselves for training for possible emergencies. He explained that the primary function of the boys in the event of an earthquake, when most probably numerous fires would occur as they did at Napier, would be to patrol set zones, extinguishing smaller fires, or if necessary, controlling them till the arrival of the brigade. Mr. O. E. List, postmaster, added his cornpliments to the young men for volunteering their services, and proceeded to explain how, under congested conditions ,the normal lines of. communication were liable to disruption. Therefor© reliable messengers, with a full knowledge of the different localities, would be invaluable. Mr. Clapham, again thanking the young men for their attendance, pointed out that now so many of the boys were interested. others would fall into line, and the service of the emergency corps, though it had a surprisingly large complement at present, would be extended by more volunteers.