65
HONGKONG.
No. 1928
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONSIDER SUGGESTIONS FOR
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FIRE FIGHTING ORGANIZATION OF THE COLONY,
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor on the 27th May, 1926.
1. The Committee have considered the recommendations of the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade submitted to them by the Government and have the honour to present their report upon those steps to improve the fire fighting organization of the Colony which in their opinion should be undertaken. They would however point out that the time at their disposal precluded in most cases an exhaustive examination of minute detail. This report refers solely to urban and sub-urban districts, and does not consider the rural districts, such as Repulse Bay, although in such localities fire fighting organi- zation must receive consideration in the future.
The subject appears to fall into four broad sections, - Personnel, Equipment, Con- struction, and Legislation, but, as all these points are to a large extent interdepen- dent, in any new measure of improvement, the closest co-relation must be maintained between the various branches of work.
Personnel.
2. The Committee are of the opinion that the most vital requirements to be served and the most immediate measures to be taken are in connection with Personnel. In their opinion an immediate increase is desirable both of European and Chinese staff, as at present not only are the conditions of service rendered too irksome by the shortage, but a great deal of really necessary work cannot be carried out at all.
(a) As regards the European contingent, and herein the recommendations only consider the existence of appliances and accommodation at present available,—the Committee advise the further engagements of 1 Inspection Officer, at an initial salary of £320 and 3 Sub-Officers at an initial salary of £220. As soon as accommodation is available, yet another additional officer should be engaged-if possible, a retired Naval rating whose duties should be primarily on the fire floats.
() As regards the Chinese staff, the Committee are of opinion that the present shortage of recruits is due almost entirely to the conditions of service and they are confident, that, with the introduction of the "shift" system with its consequent increase of leave, the Chinese personnel can be raised to its proper number. This they consider to be 120 firemen, and they should be engaged as soon as accommodation is available. At present it is understood that only 100 men can be accommodated, and this number should be obtained at once. This increase will enable the shift system, already referred to, to be instituted. It should inoreover be clearly understood that any firemen, loaned permanently to such buildings as hotels and theatres, should be recruited in addition to the above figures, which are regarded as the minimum required. These supernumeraries should be paid through the Fire Brigade office by the persons employing them. particular recommendations are made as regards Firemen's pay, but it is strongly considered that all engagements should be on a three years agreement to avoid constant changes in personnel.
No
(c) As regards the position of the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade, it is considered that an officer should be engaged who would be able to take over complete adminis- trative and technical control of the Brigade, and it is suggested that an Ex-Naval Officer