Estimates-1961 — Page 193

192

New posts

1 Divisional Officer

13 Station Officers

17 Sub Officers

6 Senior Firemen 17 Leading Firemen 180 Firemen (10*)

1 Asst. Stores Officer*

5 Clerks/Typists (1*)

1 Secretary Stenographer*

1 Clerical Assistant

2 Messengers

2 Telephone Operators

1 Senior Watchkeeper

14 Watchkeepers

15 Ambulance Dressers

4 Motor Mechanics

2 Coxswains Class I

2 Leading Seamen

2 Seamen

1 Chief Launch Engineer

2 Launch Engineers Class II

1 Launch Engineer Class IV

2 Stokers

4 Firemen Drivers

296

Supernumerary Staff

Existing posts deleted

2 Coxswains Class II

2

*

Approved by Special Warrant during the year.

With re-organization of the Fire Brigade, staff increases have become necessary for 1960/61. These changes, together with normal increments and the implementation of the 1959 Salaries Commission Report, account for the increase of $2,044,500 in the Personal Emoluments Vote. The grade of Fireman Driver has been abolished, and the incumbents with the exception of 4 officers who opted to remain as Fireman Drivers, have been absorbed into the Fireman Grade.

Under Other Charges Annually Recurrent, the reasons referred to above have necessitated increased provisions in "Fuel, Light & Power", "Stores & Equipment", "Transport" and "Uniforms and Accoutrements for disciplined staff" votes. A new subhead, "Ambulance Service" has been included to show more clearly the cost of this service.

Provisions for a wide variety of new items are included under Special Expenditure. $26,000 is provided for the purchase of an agricultural fire tender meant for fighting hill and bush fires. Breathing apparatus ($26,700), Emergency diesel generators ($32,000), Fire fighting equipment ($34,000), Radio-activity monitoring units ($3,700) and Water dams ($7,200) are all items which will assist the Brigade in dealing more effectively with outbreaks of fire and with greater safety to the personnel involved. At present, if a fire breaks out in an area which happens to be some distance from a fire hydrant, hoses have to be man- handled, thus wasting much valuable time. The two hose lorries, to be purchased at a total cost of $318,000, will enable each side of the harbour to be served by a vehicle which can pay out hoses from a hydrant direct to the scene of the fire. Rescue appliances ($194,000) are required for rescue work if tall buildings should catch fire. The light pump appliances ($128,000) are an innovation and are meant to do the work previously done by trailer pump appliances: the former type of appliance will again save manhandling. The manual pump appliance ($1,400) is required for use on Lamma Island where it will be operated by local volunteers who have received the necessary training in fire-fighting. The new Escape pump appliances, Motor pump appliances, Turntable ladders and Water tenders are all for new stations now in the course of construction at Kwun Tong, Lai Chi Kok and Aberdeen. In view of the long delivery dates of these vehicles, only token provisions have been included in some cases where it is clear that delivery cannot be made in 1960/61: the token provisions will enable orders to be placed. The Internal loudspeaker system ($4,400) will enable the Central Fire Station to function more efficiently, and the Workshop equipment ($10,200) is required for proper maintenance of the fire appliances. These items together with revotes, account for the $2,473,000 under Special Expenditure, but it should be noted that token provisions included involve a further commitment of $680,000 for which funds will have to be provided in the 1961/62 Estimates.