PRECAUTION TESTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 6

PRECAUTION TESTS

“AIR RAID” ON HAMILTON AMBULANCE BRIGADE PRACTICE REALISTIC DEMONSTRATION With aeroplanes swooping down in formation, “bombs” of fireworks exploding, and ambulance men rushing to attend “casualties” scattered over the ground, realism was the keynote of the air raid tests made by the Hamilton branch of the St. John Ambualnce Association, at Seddoti Park, yesterday. More than that, however, the mock raid was of undoubted practical value, the ambulance officers acquiring a great deal of experience. Though the entire programme was designed to give ambulance officers practice in air raid precautions, the demonstration attracted keen interest by the public and several thousand people watched the programme. More than 100 members of the Hamilton ambulance corps, including cadets, paraded at Seddoti Park. Three aeroplanes, led by a scouting plane, flew over Hamilton and swooped down on the park. Through the loud speakers came the announcement that bombs iiad been dropped and fireworks explosions from the ground created a realistic atmosphere. Men, nurses and cadets of the ambulance corps rushed to their A.R.P. stations and Immediate attention mi gum it “casualties,” who were Boy scouts of the district. The “Injured” were taken to a casualty room, given first aid, and then taken away Ju a motor ambulance. District officer H. D. Gobb, Superintendents E. A. Houston and G. E. Marshall, and Ambulance Surgeons E. C. Brew is and W. R. Fea supervised the work. •807 First Aid Oeses Mr Gobb spoke, following the demonstration, and said the St s John Ambulance Association was prepared to assist in this war as it had In the Great War. There were 42 ambulance divisions in South Auckland and last year 6-397 first aid cases had been treated. During the last few weeks there had been a great increase in membership in Hamilton, and the evening and afternoon classes of instruction in first aid and home nursing held in the Ambulance Station had been wellattended. Mr Cobb invited the public to join the classes, but if that were impossible, they could contribute towards the cost of equipment. Mr C. G. Hunt save a running commentary at the park on the work of the ambulance. Music was played by the Hamilton Citizens' Band and the Hamilton Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band.