Fire_Services_1962-1963 — Page 7

GENERAL SURVEY OF THE YEAR

EVENTS during the past year and the activities of the Department arising from them have provided an example of the varied and often unusual problems, which confront both the Fire and Ambulance Services in Hong Kong.

FIRE SERVICE

2. Density of population coupled with the multifarious uses to which highly combustible pre-war buildings are put, has been responsible for the highest death roll by fire for 15 years.

3. The unusually dry weather in 1962 and protracted periods of low humidity during the early months of 1963 resulted in a peace time record in the number of outbreaks of fire, which in January reached an average of 30 a day. For the second year in succession, Chinese New Year celebrations caused some 300 outbreaks of fire, as combustible materials within reach of hot debris from exploding fireworks became ignited. The final extent of damage caused by these celebrations cannot be assessed until the end of the 1963 wet season. Seasonal destruction by fire of vegetation on the hillsides surrounding the urban areas was aggravated by some 200 fires caused by discharging fireworks. As it is unlikely that the top-soil will be capable of holding heavy rains, the Service is preparing for landslides during the monsoon season.

4. During the year the Fire Service met successfully three periods of considerable stress, when resources were taxed to an abnormal extent. The first was due to typhoon ‘Wanda', which at its peak resulted in emergency calls exceeding 10 a minute. The second period arose from unusually low humidity in the latter part of December and early January when for weeks outbreaks of fire in premises averaged 2 per hour during daylight hours. The third period occurred during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

5. During these times the value of Government's 10-year plan for strengthening the Fire Service was incontrovertibly proved. Without the improvements which have so far been made possible by this plan, the Service would at times have been in considerable difficulties, and the death roll of 93 at fires and 78 at special services much higher. To strike a more cheerful note, 588 members of the public who had been

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