Fire_Services_1963-1964 — Page 22

Government Dangerous Goods Stores, Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong

65. At 12.30 hours on the 18th December, 1963 a call was received by the Fire Services to the leakage at the Government Dangerous Goods Stores, North Point.

66. On entering the Store, the Officer Commanding found that the concentration of acetic anhydride vapour was of lethal proportions, having leaked from three 20 gallon drums. Additionally, the vapour had affected some 500 drums of kerosene and other dangerous goods, all of which had to be removed to open air. As the use of breathing apparatus and protective clothing was essential, the work involved had to be performed by Fire Service personnel in relays, and it occupied a team of some 14 men nearly 3 hours. The store was subsequently flooded with salt water and declared gas free 27 hours later.

SKIN DIVING SERVICE

67. During the year Fire Service divers were called out on 39 occasions, and there is little doubt that we must come to regard this 'part-time service' as one of a specialist nature and develop it accordingly.

WELFARE

68. With a force exceeding 2,000, the majority of which are in the lower salary scales with relatives of many still residing away from the Colony, it is inevitable that domestic problems rate high on the list in welfare matters to be dealt with by Unit Commanders.

69. Generally speakings, 'Commanders' have been able to meet the varying demands made upon them, and the number of cases reaching Director level has been under 100.

WELFARE FUND

70. The Fund is in an improved position financially compared with the previous year. This has been very largely due to the fact that expendi- ture on outside activities for the men and their families has been restricted during 1963 due to the need to keep off duty personnel readily available on call to cope with additional problems likely to arise from the water crisis. A certified statement of accounts for the Fund appears in Appendix IX.

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