32. Although at one period during the fire season the percentage of manpower lost due to sickness and injuries rose to 14%, in general 'absence from duty' due to ill health has been under 3% in the Fire Service and 8% in the Ambulance Service.
33. Mr. J. T. ATKINSON, M.I.FireE., joined the Service on transfer from British Guiana, where for 16 years he had been Chief Fire Officer. Mr. ATKINSON holds the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service.
34. Mr. J. T. A. CREGEEN, M.I.FireE., resigned from the Service and has been appointed Chief Officer at Blantyre, South Africa.
35. In December 1962, Mr. E. A. HUTCHINSON was appointed Secretary of the Department, taking over control of our Clerical Service from Mr. LEE Hin-chiu.
REORGANIZATION OF SERVICES
36. Operations during the three emergencies referred to in para- graph 4 of this report demonstrated the satisfactory nature of the District Fire Command principle. This principle, set in the Trench Report on Fire and Ambulance Services Development and shown in schematic form in Appendix II, provides for what amounts in practice to three separate fire brigades. This has made it possible for Head- quarters staff to maintain day to day business and reinforce overworked Districts during emergencies.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
37. The following members of the Service were honoured by Her Majesty the Queen:
Colonial Fire Service Medal for Gallantry
Fireman WONG Kai-wan
Queen's Commendation (Clasp) for Brave Conduct
Senior Fireman WONG Kah-wah
Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service
J. MILNER, Deputy Director
E. L. HANLON, O.St.J., District Fire Officer
(for services in the West Indies)
Colonial Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service
Wu Man-chiu, Divisional Officer CHAN Chu-wai, Divisional Officer.
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