training establishment, some notable improvements on previous years have been possible, especially in the Senior and Leading Firemen echelon.
160. By utilizing space (required later this year for building altera- tions) at the Principal Fire Station, Hong Kong Island, it has been possible to make a modest start on refresher training for 60 Senior and Leading Firemen. Results have been encouraging and give confidence of the vast improvements which can be achieved when the permanent Training School is available.
161. Little can be achieved as refresher training for Firemen Classes I and II until Training School facilities are provided.
PHYSICAL FITNESS AND TRAINING
162. During the past five years Senior Commanders have commented frequently on the apparent lack of stamina of members of the rank and file at incidents of long duration. This has been particularly noticeable at fires in mutli-storey buildings, where the demand for physical fitness in fighting fires a hundred feet up from the ground has to be experienced to be understood.
163. The appointment of a qualified Physical Training Officer in 1963 made possible a comprehensive examination of the fitness potential of Firemen and first reports appear somewhat alarming. Further investigation will be required with the assistance of dietary and medical experts before a clear picture of the problem can be produced.
164. What is evident so far is that on their normal diet Firemen are incapable of completing the 'Commando-type' Physical Training Course required for personnel who are likely to be faced at any time of day and night with search, rescue and fire fighting operations in multi-storey buildings.
WELFARE
165. The increasing differential between costs of living and earnings continues to cause members of the rank and file to seek assistance from their officers generally and the Welfare Fund in particular. Government's grant of interim allowance pending a review of the 'Price Index and Cost of Living' resulted only in a temporary reduction in requests for financial aid.
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