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() Searchlights & Electric Torches.
It is proposed to introduce these for use at fires to supplement the kerosine flares at present in use.
(k) Street Fire Alarms.
There are 12 in all and they cover the principal points in the City. It is proposed to fit them up with telephones so that they may be used for Police purposes as well, but the new system must remain in abeyance until sufficient cable is received to secure an efficient service. It has been found in practice that they are very little used by the public, who prefer to use the ordinary public telephone when a fire occurs. It is not proposed to extend the system outside the City unless a greater use is made of the existing alarms in the future.
(U) Smoke Helmets:
A satisfactory pattern of smoke helmet has not yet been procured for local use but experiments are in progress.
B.-Equipment A float.
The Floating equipment of the Fire Brigade consists of two Fire Floats :-
I powerful steam float with monitor capable of discharging 3,000 gallons per minute or in the alternative 8 ordinary 23" deliveries and four 4′′ deliveries.
1 small steam float with 6 deliveries (2-4" and 4-23′′).
I land steamer mounted on a pontoon (Aberdeen).
One float is always kept under banked fires ready to steam off to a fire on short notice. The second float is usually in reserve but is used to stand by at all Matshed Theatres situated near the water. This work also includes attendance at Matshed Theatres at places as far away as Aberdeen and Cheung Chau.
The land steamer mounted on à pontoon is used for fire protection at Aberdeen and Aplichau, this being the most satisfactory arrangement to safeguard these two villages, which are separated by Aberdeen Harbour.
It is not in my opinion necessary to supplement existing fire appliances afloat by any further motor or steamr fire floats at present. Fires on ships in the harbour are fortunately of comparatively rare occurrence and in the circumstances, the very large outlay on a new motor fire float is not warranted by the work required. The two Fire Floats are quite capable of dealing with ordinary fires on ships in the harbour, and should necessity arise, they can be supplemented by the large tugs employed by the Hongkong Whampoa Dock Co. and Tai Koo Dqck Co. both of which and particularly the former have very powerful fire pumps on board. In this connection I recommend that an agreement be entered into with the Companies concerned to place their tugs fitted with fire fighting appliances at the disposal of the Fire Brigade in cases of emergency and if available at the time. With this addition I am satisfied that the shipping in the harbour will be adequately protected against fire.、
As
The bulk of the work of the floats is in connection with fires on land and, owing to the peculiar situation of the City of Victoria and Kowloon, the floats are of very great service either in fighting the flames direct or in supplying the motor pumps with water, thereby also saving fresh water which is a matter of importance in the dry season. the City and Kowloon both stretch out along the harbour for a great distance, the advisability of keeping both floats instead of one only under banked fires in future and providing a full crew for the No. 2 float has been considered, and full crews are recom- imended for both. One float would then do duty in Hongkong and one in Kowloon. The possibility of delay in getting across the harbour should thus be entirely eliminated! Certain improvements on the floats are undoubtedly desirable. The re-arrangement of the hose lockers is receiving attention now, and will be taken in hand as soon as a satisfactory arrangement has been devised.