Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1942. E.P.S. ORGANISATION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1942. E.P.S. ORGANISATION.

TT would be a great- pity if any controversy of an acrimonious kind arose over the part played by the Masterton E.P.S. on the occasion of the recent earthquake. There may be some room for difference of opinion regarding what was done and might have been done, but bickering on the subject would be something worse than useless. On the other hand it should be well worth while to consider from as many angles as possible the experience gained in the earthquake, with a view to strengthening and improving the E.P.S. organisation and so adding to its efficiency and usefulness in any war or other emergency that may arise in future.

Controllers, wardens and all others concerned no doubt are anxious only to do their best. They should have no difficultyin agreeing to regard any shortcomings or failures on a particular occasion simply as indicating details in which their organisation may be made to serve better and more effectively its intended and extremely important purpose.

Looking at the matter dispassionately, it must be recognised that the development of a civil defence organisation that will function smoothly and well in any emergency is bound to be anything but easy. The problems involved are worthy of careful and intensive study in all their bearings and the most should be made from that standpoint of the lessons of any practical test that can be applied.

In the case of the late earthquake there was perhaps some failure to establish the quick co-ordination and control of E.P.S. services which is a primary condition of their efficient operation. No time need be wasted in trying to find someone to blame for any failure' that occurred, but the question of ensuring dependable co-ordination and control evidently demands earnest, attention. The value of an emergency precautions scheme depends initially upon the provision made to establish at the shortest notice a competent central control. It is at the same time essential that this central control should as speedily as possible receive accurate information and should then issue promptly whatever information and instructions may be advisable in the circumstances. A high authority on civil defence in Britain has said that: “On accurate and swift reporting depends the whole working of a civil defence scheme.”

Much of the organisation that would be needed to cope with any local emergency no doubt has been worked out, but it may be desirable that it should be tested freely and frequently in practices in order that imperfections and weaknesses may be corrected. One point that suggests itself after the experience of the recent, earthquake is that highly effective use might be made in any future emergency, either of war or peace, of a loud-speaker van, which, moving rapidly over the area concerned, could quickly broadcast, any necessary information and instructions and at the same time ensure a complete and co-ordinated mobilisation of the E.P.S. personnel.