(including 102 members of the Fire Service) and 585 were rescued from dangerous situations. Direct financial losses were at $4.7 m., $1.7 m., less than the previous year. Types of services provided were as follows:
Fires
Aircraft
Buildings: (a) Domestic premises
***
(b) Non-domestic premises
Chimneys
Electrical
Vegetation
++
***
Motor Transport
Ships
Squatter areas
**4
Miscellaneous small fires...
1
294
**
***
277
***
82
*
408
531
***
104
***
***
24
44
***
***
***
诽僻
621
***
44
85
***
***
***
80
False alarms: (a) with good intent
(b) malicious
Special Services
Landslides, house collapse, drowning, etc.
Ambulance Calls
(a) Emergencies
***
(b) Ordinary removals to and from hospitals and clinics
CAUSES OF FIRES
431
24,023
36,040
43. The classification of supposed causes is set out in Appendix II. There has been little significant change compared with the previous year, and statistics continue to support statements made to the public by the Department so frequently during the year, namely, that ‘careless- ness is the cause of fires'.
44. Whilst above average levels of high humidity which prevailed during the traditional fire season contributed greatly to the reduction in the number of fires, the factor which has been primarily responsible for a reduction in financial losses was the change in tactical policy adopted for 1st attendances due to the restriction in availability of fresh water. This policy carried with it considerable risks because to achieve it, resources left available for simultaneous calls were negligible. On the other hand, in the special circumstances prevailing, the Service could expect little sympathy from Government and public alike if a conflagration developed due to inadequacies of first attendance on the premise that another fire might break out simultaneously elsewhere. The important fact is that revised tactics paid dividends, not the least being some $1.7 m. to Insurance Companies and members of the public in general. I would not, however, from choice wish to repeat these tactics.
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