of occasions when traffic blocks caused by the fire (and inquisitive motorists) has isolated fire appliances half a mile or more away from the fire area has increased to disturbing proportions.
24. It is clearly in the public interest that a solution is found to this difficult and serious problem.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
25. For two years in succession the discharge of fireworks has caused widespread damage by fire and injured hundreds of people, some permanently.
26. During the years when the cities of Victoria and Kowloon consisted primarily of tenement structures of similar size, many open spaces, and streets relatively free of traffic, the discharge of fireworks in public places was capable of toleration.
27. Under present day conditions with something in the order of million out of a probable total of 2 million pounds of hot debris from exploding fireworks descending from multi-storey buildings into crowded streets, open windows, narrow lanes and hundreds of balconies; control measures must, in the general public interest, be designed as an alternative to complete prohibition.
COMMUNICATIONS
28. Good progress was made in taking into service new V.H.F. multi-frequency radio equipment for Fire Service use and transferring the 10 year old single-frequency equipment to ambulances.
29. This development has also been timely, as the effect of 3 Districts working simultaneously on a single frequency would, during the recent fire season and other emergencies, have been chaotic.
30. The 'Walkie Talkie' sets associated with the new equipment have proved especially valuable in reducing damage by fire and water on every occasion when brought into use.
ESTABLISHMENT AND STAFF CHANGES
31. Approved establishment at the beginning of the year was 1,609, an increase of 242, which includes Fire Service personnel transferred from the Civil Aviation Department.
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