SPECIAL SERVICES
42. An interesting feature of the year has been the increased de- mand for special services or emergency calls to incidents not involving fire but where ambulances are often needed. These now form 16% of all calls and, as they are dealt with as 'first alarms' of fire, three or more fire appliances attend. Experiments with the rescue service unit may help to solve the problem. 15 cwt. vans fitted with rescue equip- ment, and manned by highly trained teams of three, should prove fast and economical and will not lead to any reduction in basic fire cover. There have been occasions when demands for special services have denuded Kowloon and the New Territories of 70% of their firefighting potential. However important these services may be, firefighting must enjoy priority. If the rescue service units prove successful, they would be best stationed at the proposed ambulance depots and the two principal Fire Stations now being planned.
STAFF
43. On 30th September, 1961, the Director of Fire Services, Mr. W. J. GORMAN, G.M., O.B.E., B.E.M., went on leave prior to retirement and was succeeded by Mr. R. G. Cox, G.M., C.St.J. Mr. Cox was succeeded as Deputy Director by Mr. J. MILNER.
44. Mr. E. L. HANLON, O.St.J., formerly Chief Fire Officer in Trinidad, was appointed District Fire Officer and Mr. J. T. A. CREGEEN, formerly Chief Fire Officer in the Lusaka Fire Brigade, was appointed Senior Divisional Officer.
45. Rapid development has left the Service short of experienced officers to fill more senior posts. The possibility is being considered of appointing expatriate candidates on secondment or contract but this may be difficult in view of improved conditions of service in the United Kingdom.
Conditions of service
46. A comprehensive manual on qualifications for appointment and promotion was approved. It prescribes examinations and details their curricula. Provision is made for a partial exemption from local examina- tions for holders of the British Institution of Fire Engineers Degree. A record number of officers sat this degree examination and the first local officer to do so obtained his Associate Membership Degree.
8
}