FIRE BRIGADES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1941, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADES

NATIONAL ORGANISATION IN BRITAIN NOW ALMOST COMPLETED. PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE BOMBS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 17. One of the most potent weapons used in aerial warfare is the incendiary bomb, and the experience of the blitz showed that this menace can be met by a nationwide organisation of firefighting services. Earlier this year the fire brigades were organised on a national basis, and the new scheme will shortly come into active existence. At the head of the service, under the Home Secretary, is Commander A. N. G. Firebrace, to whom the London fire brigades owe so much. He. is assisted in the new organisation by two deputies, and the fire forces will be divided among 12 civil defence regions. In each region a distribution of fire divisions will be made according to the target, and its likelihood of being bombed, and, of ocurse, the big cities will be adequately served. Difficulties relating to conditions of service, which in peace time vary according to locality, have been overcome. The new service will be an acquisition of great importance to the British strength. The fire brigades of England are very old institutions, and in the large towns they have a tradition of bravery and efficiency which will permeat the whole of the new organisation.