MARINE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY
FIRE RISKS
9. Fire risk in squatter areas is being gradually reduced owing to the construction of Resettlement Estates built to rehouse the squatters. Officers of the Fire Brigade continue to give regular lectures and talks to the residents of the remaining squatter areas, with the result that squatters are becoming more conscious of the danger of fire and very often outbreaks of fires in squatter areas have been checked in their initial stages, thus keeping the fire damage down to a minimum.
STAFF
10. The strength of the Brigade was altered by the addition of 34 other ranks and the abolition of one post of Sub Officer. The approved establishment of the Brigade on 31st March, 1956 was 596 officers and other ranks.
11. The establishment of expatriate officers was up to full strength but local recruitment was not up to the standard ex- pected, especially in the case of firemen. Although every recruitment parade was well attended, the type of recruit attend- ing fell far below the Fire Brigade standard.
APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT
12. All fire appliances and equipment were regularly tested, overhauled and maintained in efficient and good working order by the mechanical staff of the Brigade.
13. Four Land Rover Fire Appliances and one Morris- Magirus 100' all steel Turntable Ladder Fire Appliance ordered from the United Kingdom were received. The Land Rover appliances were allocated to various sub-stations in the New Territories. With these additional appliances, better fire protection is accorded to some of the main districts in the New Territories.
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