16. The vacancies for other ranks were filled by local recruits. Sixty five vacancies were filled by ex-employces of the Royal Naval Dock- yard and the War Department.
17. The staff increases were approved as part of the expansion of the Fire Brigade with its additional new fire stations and appliances.
APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT
18. All fire appliances and equipment are regularly tested, over- hauled and maintained in good working order by the mechanical staff of the Fire Brigade Workshops.
19. Two Emergency Tenders, three Escape/Pump Appliances, two Hosc Lorries, two ambulances and one Austin A-50 Countryman were received and put into commission.
20. Two Foam Tenders have been ordered but delivery has been delayed by the manufacturers.
21. The radio telephone network, consisting of three fixed main ground stations, eighteen mobile units and ten pack sets, was in full operation. Five of these mobile units were ordered and received during the year. The system is of great advantage to the Fire Brigade when working at large fires where no other means of communication is available. During the year under review, the following work has been carried out by the Workshop Division:
Monthly service and inspection of fire appliances Mechanical-electrical repairs, new work
modifications
General joinery and coach building
Repair to hoses and general canvas work Repairs to footwear and general leather work
FIRE BOATS
444
1,056 items
and
588 items
192 items
2,470 items
843 items
22. The Brigade has a fleet of three fire boats, consisting of the 'Alexander Grantham' and two smaller vessels, with which it was possible to cope with fires that broke out on board ships in the harbour. The fire boats were also used for relaying water for fire fighting opera- tions on land as required during water restrictions. The boats are regularly slipped, overhauled and maintained by the Marine Department. 23. A new fire boat to replace No. 2 Fire Boat is being constructed and will be put in commission in the next financial year.
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