The decrease was mainly due to the discharge of members who were, for occupational or other reasons, unable to continue as members of the Force. The following table shows the number of members recruited and discharged during the year under review.
Period
Ending 30. 6.58
Enrolment
1
Discharge, etc. Decrease
Ending 30, 9.58
Ending 31.12.58
Ending 31. 3.59
Total ...
11
3
14
5
21
7
16
55
10
[1
16
2
39
47. The authorized strength of the Force is 832 officers and men and in order to fill the vacancies as far as possible a recruiting drive commenced from January 1959. 45 candidates have been found medically fit for enrolment into the force and about 40 candidates are awaiting medical examination. A total of about 80 candidates will therefore be enrolled as soon as all medical examination results are known and recruiting training classes for Hong Kong and Kowloon Divisions will be opened for them.
48. After completion of training and passing the requisite exam- inations, recruits are posted to platoons for regular weekly platoon training. Qualified firemen may thereafter join the Officers Training Class. In addition to the driving test, firemen drivers must also undergo a Pump Operator's Course.
49. Regular weekly platoon training under the supervision of a regular Fire Brigade Officer at each station was carried out during the year under review at:
Kowloon
Hong Kong
A.F.S. Training Centre,
Kowloon Fire Station
North Point
Mo Shuk School,
Aberdeen
Stanley Kaifong Welfare
Association Playground.
New Territories
Cheung Chau
Sai Kung Sha Tin
Tai Po Sheung Shui Yuen Long
Tsuen Wan
50. Passing-out examinations were held during the year with the following results:
Driving Classes-
13 members qualified to drive and operate pumps on Land Rover appliances.
12 members qualified to drive and operate the pump on Onslow appliances, and
6 members qualified to drive Ford lorries.
17