are very important to the general public and probably contribute more in the short term to the preservation of life and reduction of fire hazards than any other single activity of the Bureau.
GENERAL OBSERVATION
97. At one time it was considered that physical fitness was not impor- tant for Fire Prevention officers and, indeed, this is still very largely true in a number of communities. In Hong Kong however, with thousands of 'High Blocks' and even with the availability of lifts, we have learned that the need for physical fitness is not confined to the operational side of the Service.
STAFF ASSOCIATIONS
HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF'S GENERAL
ASSOCIATION
98. Relationships with the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Staff's General Association have been cordial and generally satisfactory. The Executive Committee of the Association have met with the Director and his advisers on nine occasions dealing with a variety of subjects, the principal ones being representations on salaries; status and rank of the Fire Boat crews; subsistence allowances; prosecution and fines involving Fire Service drivers; for the rank and file; catering procedure on fire stations and hours of duty.
AMBULANCE DRESSERS' UNION
99. Relation with the Ambulance Dressers' Union still requires improvement, but little can be achieved until this Union decides to adopt the policy of seeking interviews, which has proved so successful with the Staff's General Association.
CHINESE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION
100. The one outstanding request of the Chinese Officers' Association, namely, the reduction in the hours of duty, has been implemented during the year.
EXPATRIATE FIRE OFFICERS
101. Interviews have been granted to selected representatives during the year to discuss specific problems such as salaries in general; quarters;
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