Fire_Services_1962-1963 — Page 18

OPERATIONS DURING TYPHOON ‘WANDA'

62. During the 24 hours covering the period of typhoon 'Wanda' the Service responded to 530 calls for assistance. Irrespective of weather conditions calls were answered at once. As a result, by 10 a.m. when the winds were at maximum strength (estimated at 140 knots) 2 am- bulances had been blown off the road (requiring additional responses to rescue the crews) and 7 ambulances and 9 fire appliances were stranded due to flooded engines. Within one hour workshops staff had recovered and placed back in service all but 1 ambulance and 2 appliances.

63. Injuries to the public due to fragments of broken glass were numerous and by 11 a.m. the professional ambulance service resources were exhausted. Military ambulances and the Auxiliary Medical Service responded to calls for assistance and by midday the backlog of calls had been dealt with.

64. At Sha Tin, the fire station complete with appliances disappeared under a tidal wave, and the handful of personnel under the command of Senior Divisional Officer WATSON performed herculean tasks by hand. So rapid was the rise in the water level that personnel were at one moment wading ankle deep in water, and less than 5 minutes later swimming.

65. The effect of the typhoon produced two unusual special services. The first was when a ship out of control struck the sea-wall at North Point, partially demolishing a cyanide store. A team of 20 men with breathing apparatus worked for 8 hours non-stop to dispose of broached containers, which were discharging lethal gases, and to transfer un- damaged containers to a place of safety. At this incident, the Service was greatly indebted to Dr. GREAVES (Government Chemist) who with- out previous training donned a breathing apparatus set and entered the damaged store to investigate personally the nature of the chemicals stored therein.

66. The second (and simultaneous) incident occurred at West Point where damaged drums of carbide of calcium were giving off large quantities of explosive gases.

67. With the gas manufacturing plants temporarily closed these two operations demonstrated that Fire Service facilities for recharging breath- ing apparatus cylinders needed reassessment.

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