Fire_Services_1962-1963 — Page 33

Tai Po Road, Kowloon

99. The last 4th alarm fire of the year broke out a little after midday on 28th March, 1963, on the 6th floor of a 7-storey R.C.C. building, producing an unusual turn of events when an off duty fire- man was injured and rescued by his colleagues.

WELFARE

100. Whilst welfare of personnel must remain the primary duty of Officers Commanding Units, the variety and often complexity of many of the problems raised requires the attention of one who has received some special training in this important field.

101. At one time, assistance was invariably limited to requests for loans from the Welfare Fund. During the past year applications have included requests for advice and assistance on family planning, material assistance for the family with the husband away from home for 24 hours and a wife in hospital, problems concerning relatives residing outside the Colony, schooling of children, adoption procedures, and many other problems of a personal nature, which need the attention of a woman rather than a commanding officer.

WELFARE FUND

102. The increase in personnel without a proportionate increase in income has taxed the Fund to its limit during the year. Quite clearly, additional sources of revenue must be sought if the Fund is going to continue to provide financial assistance to prevent men being driven into the hands of money lenders charging exorbitant rates of interest. The certified statement of accounts for the Fund is at Appendix IV.

TRANSPORT, WORKSHOPS AND STORES

103. This branch of the Service is responsible for:

(a) Maintenance and repair of all fire fighting appliances.

(b) Purchase, issue and repair of all Fire Service general stores

including uniforms and footwear.

(c) The ordering, repair and maintenance of new fire fighting

equipment for the Service and Government buildings.

(d) Medical supplies for the Ambulance Service.

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