14. The radio telephone net-work, consisting of 2 fixed main ground stations, 6 mobile units and 8 pack sets, was in full operation throughout the year. During the year, 2 additional mobile units and 2 pack sets were added to the equipment already installed. The system is of great advantage when working at large fires, etc. where no other means of communication is available.
FIRE BOATS
15. The Brigade has a fleet of 3 fire boats, consisting of the "Alexander Grantham" and two smaller vessels with which it was possible to cope with all fires that broke out on board ships in the harbour. These crafts were also used for relaying water for fighting fires on land where difficulty arose from water restrictions. These fire boats were regularly slipped, overhauled and maintained by the Marine Department.
HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY
16. Fire hydrants, both pedestal and ground were inspected quarterly and all defects reported to the Water Authority for repairs to be effected.
17. By the end of the year, new installations and replace- ments had brought the total number of pedestal and ground hydrants to 659 and 1,240 respectively.
18. Throughout the year, the Water Authority provided turncocks at fire stations to allow water valves to be operated during the hours when the water supply was restricted. These arrangements do not prove entirely satisfactory, as in the early stages of fire fighting water restrictions do retard operations to a certain extent.
19. As the weather was extremely dry, and in order to conserve the domestic water supply, the Brigade made every effort to utilize other available water such as sea water, nullah water, or water from static water tanks for fire fighting purposes.