HEAT IN ADELAIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1939, Page 7

HEAT IN ADELAIDE

AN ALL-TIME RECORD. ® DAMAGE BY BUSH FIRES.

As well as breaking its all-time record for a heat wave, Adelaide recently recorded its highest thermometer reading in its history—ll 7.7. This was accompanied and followed by bush fires in the hills and in the south-east. The damage in the hills was conservatively estimated at £750,000, while that in the south-east brings the total tc £1.000,000. a The outstanding feature of the fires was the organisation of volunteer fire fighters by the National Safety Council. The secretary co-opted the services of Major J. Sandow, who, in turn called on officers and non-commission-ed officers in the militia. In a remarkable short space of time control officers were in- the field a. every point where fires threatened, and from the central office orders were sent to these men, who kept in constam telephonic contact. Eight thousand volunteers were put in the field, transported and maintained by the speedilj drafted organisation.

At one time 35 fire points were covered and the 3000 motor vehicles placed at the disposal of the National Safety Council proved more than sufficien to transport the men from point t< point, convey food to them and keei. them supplied with water and firefighting appliances. St John Ambulance men attended at all points, and doctors and nurses were at field dressing sta tions. More than '3OO men were treated for more or less severe injuries. Some were taken to the Adelaide Geneial Hospital and others to an emergency base hospital at the Australian Natives' Association Building in Flinders Street.

As a result of this experience a committee has been appointed to draw uj a plan for a permanent organisation on the lines adopted by the Nationa Safety Council.