SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1977
2
+THIS IS THE ONLY POST THAT HAS ELECTRICITY TO KEEP US
WARM, + HE SAID, WE ARE LUCKY AS OTHER POSTS DO NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY BECAUSE OF THEIR REMOTE LOCATIONS.+
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THESE GUARDS AT THE LOOKOUT POSTS USUALLY HAD AT LEAST 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PLANTATION PROTECTION WORK.
+THEY MUST ALSO KNOW ALL THE VARIOUS PARTS OF PLANTATION AREAS LIKE THE BACK OF THEIR HANDS, HE SAID.
WITH THIS LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, HE EMPHASISED, THE FOREST GUARD CAN IMMEDIATELY REPORT A FIRE AND PINPOINT ITS LOCATION WITHOUT HAVING TO RELY ON A MAP.
+SPEED AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL TOPOGRAPHY ARE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE IN FIGHTING FOREST OR HILL FIRES, HE STRESSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN A FIRE WAS SPOTTED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE FOREST MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR CENTRE WITH THE USE OF THE FIELD TELEPHONE.
THE NEXT STEP, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, INVOLVED DIRECTING FIRE FIGHTERS TO THE SCENE OF THE FIRE BY COMMUNICATING WITH A WALK IE-TALKIE.
+WHEN THE FIRE FIGHTERS CANNOT COPE WITH THE BLAZE AND REQUIRE REINFORCEMENT, THE REQUEST IS OFTEN MADE TO THE LOCKOUT FROM WHERE THE MESSAGE IS PASSED ON TO THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE, HE POINTED OUT.
+ THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE MUST REPORT EVERY HILL FIRE TO THE FIRE CONTROL HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON HILL FROM WHERE ALL HILL FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS ARE COORDINATED.
+WHEN REINFORCEMENT IS REQUIRED, THE HEADQUARTERS CALLS IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.+
THERE ARE 15 MANAGEMENT CENTRES AT WHICH FIRE CREWS ARE BASED. AT 11 OF THE CENTRES, THERE ARE 10-MAN CREWS AND AT THE OTHER FOUR THERE ARE SIX-MAN CREWS.
ALL CREWS ARE MOBILE AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH WALKIE-TALKIES FIRE BEATERS AND HAND-OPERATED PUMPS. THE LARGER CREWS ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH MOTOR-DRIVEN HIGH PRESSURE PUMPS AAND HOSES.
BEFORE THE START OF THE WINTER EVERY YEAR, EACH SENIOR FIELD OFFICER WITH A TERRITORIAL CHARGE IS REQUIRED TO REPORT AND CONFIRM IN WRITING TO HIS SUPERVISING FORESTRY OFFICER (PROTECTION) OF THE STATE OF READINESS OF ALL FIRE CREWS IN THE DISTRICT UNDER HIS CHARGE.
+THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE AS IT AFFECTS THE PUBLIC,+ HE SAID.
+THE PLANTATION AREAS DAILY ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO GO THERE FOR PICNICS. ALSO, THESE WOODLANDS HELP PREVENT SOIL EROSION AND PROTECT THE WATER CATCHMENT AREAS.
/+BECAUSE