FIRE BRIGADE LIMITS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1939, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADE LIMITS.

JN the ordinary way borough fire brigades are debarred from operating outside the confines of the areas they are organised to protect. These limits on action were happily and speedily overcome in the case of- the serious outbreak of fire which occurred at the Waingawa Works on Saturday evening, when both the Masterton and Carterton brigades rendered efficient service. 11 would, of course, have been both deplorable andj absurd had efficient fire-fighting organisations been condemned to inaction while a valuable industrial plant, which affords employment to large numbers of men resident in Masterton and in other parts of the district, was being destroyed.

Other examples of fires beyond borough limits, but within, roach by borough brigades, may arise, however, and it seems desirable that the position should be reviewed in good time, so that the permissible limits of action by the brigades may be defined and understood. In view of the present-day improvement of roads and the fact that in many places outside the boroughs there are water sources which could be turned to effecth'e account in fire-fighting by powerful pumping plants, it is no doubt quite feasible to extend Hie working zone of the of the brigades.

If that is to be done, however, it seems necessary that organised action should be taken, not only in apportioning the costs of the service to be rendered by the brigades, but in conferring upon them the working powers and guarantees under which they operate in their present areas. Additions to the working area of the brigades no doubt would justify and might necessitate additions to their numerical strength and equipment. There are some obvious possibilities of a co-operative arrangement which might be advantageous to all concerned. It is desirable that these possibilities should at least be reviewed and discussed. It is evidently not to be taken for granted that the services of brigades can always be made available outside their own areas as promptly and with as satisfactory results as they were on Saturday evening.