(e) Supply of fuel to appliances and ambulances generally and at
operations in particular.
(f) Conducting driving and pump operators' tests and issuing
licences to drive Fire Service appliances.
The Officer Commanding and his staff have done an outstanding job of improvisation in their temporary premises in the ex Naval premises in Harcourt Road, Hong Kong Island.
104. Damage to appliances and equipment during typhoon 'Wanda' resulted in the workshops staff working round the clock for nearly two weeks. Two appliances which disappeared under a tidal wave at Sha Tin and 3 more flooded by sea water at North Point Fire Station had to be virtually stripped down to the last nut and bolt and re-built. 11 appliances and other vehicles were recovered during the height of the typhoon and brought back to their bases.
105. During the year, the branch ordered, tested and put into service many new appliances and equipment, the more important items being:
Hose Laying Appliances
Turntable Ladders
Rescue Appliances
Extra Heavy Pump
Major Pump
Land Rover Pump
Portable Pumps
Mobile Transmitter/Receivers
Miles of Hose
NNN
2
2
2
ม. 1
1
1
1
28
10
A list of appliances and major equipment in commission on 31st March, 1963, is contained in Appendix VI.
FIRE PREVENTION
106. The objectives of the Fire Prevention Bureau are 'to determine and intelligently anticipate the causes of fire and the loss of life thereby, and apply the knowledge gained to preventing a recurrence'. The application of this precept brings Fire Officers into daily contact or consultation with every profession and involves the inspection of every building which requires a licence or permit for use by members of the public.
107. In Hong Kong, where fire prevention measures have unaccept- able adverse economic effects unless the principle of 'tolerated risk' is understood and applied by Fire Officers, problems continue to be immense, and results at times frustrating. Nevertheless, the bureau has
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