Fire_Brigade_1959-1960 — Page 14

economically. Records show that a remarkable amount of work has been carried out by the staff available who have to work under congested conditions. Fire Appliances are large machines and require much ground space for the scale of work to be carried out,

18. The machine shop is reasonable in size for Brigade requirements one small milling machine will complete our mechanical installation. All other equipment is adequate for the maintenance of our appliances, both now and in the foreseeable future. Therefore only space required.

19. I attribute this record to the following:

is

(a) The Workshop Division operates as part of a disciplined force

and is in uniform.

(b) Mechanics are always on call for duties on the fire ground, day and night. There is a night duty staff available both in Hong Kong and Kowloon and the whereabouts of supervising staff is always known to Headquarters fire control. The mechanics are very keen and often turn out to fires voluntarily even when not on duty.

20. There is no delay in repair work as staff is available for 24 hours. Spare parts are also available for this period. Some repair is carried out on the station, making appliances available for use in the shortest possible time and without any need to remove all the items of cquipment stowed on the machine. (On a large appliance the removal and restowing of equipment takes approximately 6 man-hours).

21. The mechanics in the Fire Brigade Workshops have many years of experience on fire appliances and are fully competent to carry out work from the smallest job to a complete overhaul. The repairs and maintenance of fire appliances must be carried out urgently and every effort is made for the maintenance staff to complete repairs in the shortest possible time whether day or night.

22. The issue of driving licences and the testing of drivers on all appliances, including the operation of pumps and turntable ladders, is carried out by the Workshops Division.

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