operating in multi-storey buildings, the health and stamina of personnel has become a matter of some concern. There is need for vigorous physical training among all ranks and frequent medical examinations for those over forty years of age. Older, and regrettably the more experienced personnel must eventually be transferred to rural areas and ambulance duties, and a high manpower reserve has to be maintained. 'Commando teams' of exceptionally fit young men have to be formed in strategically sited stations and improved methods must be devised for search and rescue.
FATALITIES AND INJURIES FROM FIRE
6. 36 persons died following outbreaks of fire and 233 including 61 Fire Service personnel, were injured.
RESCUE OPERATIONS
7. 394 members of the public were rescued and hundreds more were lead to safety from potentially dangerous situations by Fire Service personnel. Many of these were saved from fatal injury by jumping sheets and Fire Service ladders. As building heights increase, however, the traditional forms of escape will become less practicable and will emphasize the importance of an early control of lifts and power supply by Fire Service personnel.
FIRES AND OTHER OCCURRENCES
Emergency calls
8. During the year, the Service responded to 55,284 calls of which 53,075 were for ambulances. The incidents resulted in 36 deaths and 233 injuries from fire in addition to 127 deaths and 321 injuries from other causes. Further details are given in Appendix I.
9. Details of the more notable fires and special services are given below:
Tsoi Yuen Tsuen, Sheung Shui
10. On 20th April, 1961, the Service was called to Tsoi Yuen Tsuen village where seven people, stranded by rising flood water on the roofs of huts, were brought to safety.
No. 305 Lai Chi Kok Road, Kowloon
11. At about 7 a.m. on 15th May, 1961, an explosion caused by overheated tins of illegally stored Dinitoroso Penthamethylene Tetra-
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