Fire_Brigade_1952-1953 — Page 9

13. Special services were rendered by the Brigade at house collapses, landslides, drowning, leakage of dangerous gases etc. 33 lives (including 13 reported missing) were lost in incidents of this nature and 82 persons were rescued by the Brigade. Details are as follows:

Rescued by

Recovery Missing the Brigade

Dead on Reported

Landslides

7

13

House collapses

1

Drowning

3

Miscellaneous

3

6

8

18 (6 died later)

C

14. No serious injuries were suffered by the Brigade personnel.

FIRE RISK

15. The fire risk in squatter areas in the Colony still gives anxiety to the Brigade, in spite of the careful arrangements and fire fighting plans in these areas which have been made. It is however hoped that the resettlement scheme now being carried out by Government will reduce the risk to its minimum by the provision of suitable fire-breaks, adequate water supplies and better construction of buildings. These facilities do not all exist in tolerated squatter areas at present.

STAFF

16. The Brigade has been carrying on for a considerable time with a shortage of expatriate Fire Officers, the two vacancies left open since last year having not as yet been filled. The high standards set for enrolment, which must be maintained even if the Brigade has to suffer temporarily, are the main cause of the difficulty encountered in filling these vacancies success- fully. Local recruitments continue to be satisfactory, and practically full strength was maintained.

17. The Brigade's strength was increased during the year by the addition of 2 Leading Firemen, 4 Fireman Drivers and 14 Firemen, to 460 officers and men.

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