Fire_Services_1963-1964 — Page 8

Service would be faced in the highly likely event of the drought carrying over into the 1963-64 fire season.

7. Whilst there had been very substantial improvements in the Colony during the past six years in extensions to 24 hour trunk mains and salt water installations generally, there were, nevertheless, vast areas of high risk which were without water in the mains except for 4 hours in each 4 day period. Whilst Fire Service turncocks were available round the clock to turn on supplies when fires occurred, above the 100 ft. level an inordinate amount of time would elapse before mains and storage tanks in 'High Blocks' in the low lying areas were filled and pressure was sufficient to fight fires at and above the 100 ft. level.

8. The only practical solution in the short time available was a sup- plementary mains system laid above ground to enable maximum advantage to be taken of sea water in the harbour and from terminal points of existing salt water installations. 15 miles of 6” polythene piping together with fittings was borrowed from the British Fire Service and had by the end of the year 1963 (in time for the fire season) been laid by Fire Service personnel in vital areas where the effects of water shortage could in the event of a fire be most grievous. Account also had to be taken of the fact that the 'production costs' of fresh water had in August risen dramatically, resulting in an expenditure of $5: per minute for the use of even the smallest fire fighting jet. It followed therefore, that financial considerations, as well as conservation of potable water, required a fire fighting policy based on almost total prohibition of the use of fresh water. An unplanned for development arising from the use of sea water was the frequency with which Fire Service personnel sustained electric shocks when fire fighting. On three occasions the effect was so violent as to eject without warning branchpipes from lines of hose held by per- sonnel. As a result, rubber gloves had to be issued to all branchmen!

9. Events also dictated the need for change in conventional tactics, which in normal times provided for four appliances to be despatched to a 'Ist alarm' call. With a 'non-reliance on fresh water' policy in force, it was necessary to establish a 'dual' 1st attendance, namely, a greatly increased number of appliances (including water tankers) to the fire, and a special attendance of heavy pumping appliances, hose laying and ramp lorries together with Despatch Riders to the nearest sea water pumping site. The effectiveness of measures taken may be gauged by the fact that, in spite of the critical water supply situation, no major fire of any consequence developed during the 1963-64 fire season.

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