Fire_Brigade_1956-1957 — Page 19

in Hong Kong; Kowloon and Terminus in Kowloon; and Tai Po and Yuen Long in the New Territories.

27. There were 15,905 emergency calls involving 17,205 patients and 19,007 removals with 24,044 patients involved. The total mileage for both services was 327,328 for the whole period under review. Charges were made for removals and the revenue collected amounted to $49,375.

28. Compared with the previous year, emergency calls regis- tered an increase of 621 calls received and 748 patients removed, whilst removals showed an increase of 2,235 and 2,983 patients. A detailed summary of calls received and number of patients conveyed is shown in Appendix III.

TRAINING

29. Brigade personnel received regular training which in- cluded lectures in firemanship in addition to practical drills. The initial training of recruits was undertaken at Central Fire Station.

30. The two Elementary English Classes for Firemen-one Year II and one Year III-commenced on 17th and 18th Septem- ber, 1956, respectively at the Central Fire Station. The class for Year II consisted of 26 students, and that for Year III of 24 students who passed their annual examination in the previous term.

WELFARE

31. The Fire Brigade Welfare Fund, the receipts of which were principally derived from charges for services rendered to the public in the form of duties performed at matshed theatres etc., was well maintained. Disbursements for various purposes amounted to $4,366.79 (including depreciation on local invest- ment-$556.40) connected with the welfare of the members of the Brigade, and the excess of income over expenditure was $5,683.21. $15,810.88 was brought forward from the previous year and the total sum deposited in Treasury as at 31st March, 1957 was $7,174.09. The value of local investment was $14,040 plus outstanding loans amounting to $280. Statement of Receipts and Payments covering the transactions of the fund for the period 1st April, 1956 to 31st March, 1957, and the

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