FIRE FIGHTING .

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21364, 7 March 1941, Page 6

FIRE FIGHTING .

DOMINION SCHEME UNIFORMS AND PAY FORCE OF 2000 MEN (By Telegraph. —Preas Aaaorlatlon) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Government, in collaboration with local authorities and fire boards, has completed arrangements for the establishment in the main centres and principal secondary towns of an emergency fire-fighting force to meet conditions which would arise if towns were subjected to enemy air raids or bombardment. Making this announcement this evening, the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, said that because of its isolation this country need not expect a degree of enemy attack comparable with that to which England is being subjected, but ordinary prudence dictated that it was essential to prepare for possible air raids or bombardment by enemy raiders which were known to be in the Pacific. Mr Semple said the Government had decided to meet the position by establishing in terms of regulations published today an Emergency Fire Service as a branch of the Emergency Reserve Corps, which comprises the home defence forces of the Dominion under civil control. “In the original Emergency Precautions Scheme provision is made for each organisation to establish its own auxiliary fire-fighting squads,” said the Minister, “but it has been found in practice, particularly in the larger centres, that, because of the hazardous nature of the work and the inevitable damage to private clothing, it has not been possible to recruit a sufficient number of men to ensure effective protection. The Government has, therefore, decided to make the work more attractive by providing uniforms, by paying the men for their services, and by providing for pensions and allowances on the same basis as members of the Territorial Force. Men From a Ballot “As a set-off against these concessions, members of the Emergency Fire Services will be subjected to strict discipline in accordance with specified conditions of service which have now been gazetted. By a series of nightly and week-end parades they will be required to undergo a period of intensive training to make them efficient in the shortest possible time. “The personnel of this new force, which will consist of about 2000 men, will be recruited from suitable men who are drawn in the ballot and who, for any reason, are not likely to be released for service with the armed forces for some time,” added the Minister. “An appeal will also be made to married men, as they are not likely to be called for military service in the near future. Thus the service will provide an avenue for | alternative service and will be so constituted that its efficiency, once attained, will remain fairly constant.

“Subject to direction by the Minister of National Service, the force will be administered by the Dominion Fire Controller, Mr R. Girling Butcher, Inspector of Fire Brigade*;.” POSITION IN HAMILTON RECRUITS WANTED Commenting on the position in Hamilton Superintendent A. of the Hamilton Fire Brigade, said today that for some months, a force of volunteers had been built up steadily until now there were about 30 members enrolled. He hoped that the number would soon be ticreased to 50. Many of the men had previous experience in fire fighting and fire prevention, and all of them had volunteered their services under the Emergency Precautions Scheme. Superintendent Craig said there had been a suggestion that tne necessary numbers could be drawn from men balloted for military service, but he preferred to rely on volunteers, and felt confident that when publicity was given to the matter the quota would soon be filled. It was he added, encouraging to note the Minister’s reference to the provision of uniforms anji insurance. Whatever was done in that direction would be a stimulus to the men, who were willingly giving their time and knowledge to a necessary and essential work. Attendances at parades so far had been splendid, and the men were keen and enthusiastic.