52. This system provides all officers with great opportunities for rapid advancement in their field, without denying any officer the opportunity to advance in all, if he is capable of so doing.
OPERATIONS GENERALLY
53. Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Services responded during the year to 64,631 calls at which 227 members of the public died, 798 members of the public were injured (including 53 members of the Fire Services) and 930 members of the public were rescued.
54. Direct financial loss was $9.7 m. which is an increase of $5·3 m. .over the previous year.
55. Based on a population of 3-6 m., per capita loss was $2.77 which, although a substantial increase over the previous year, still compares very favourably with Britain's $18 per capita losses.
56. Of the total of $9.7 m., industrial fires accounted for $6.5 m., and one godown fire for $1.7 m.
57. The number of persons made semi-permanently homeless by fire during the year was less than those displaced by buildings declared too dangerous for human habitation.
CAUSES OF FIRES
58. Humidity continues to affect both the number and severity of fires, though less markedly than in previous years with the increasing preponderance of high block, reinforced concrete property. When the humidity percentage drops below temperature (F) within an average time of 6 hours outbreaks of fire increase threefold. This pattern con- tinues until temperatures (F) rise above humidity percentage by at least 10%.
59. As I have commented before, extensive scientific research into this partially understood phenomena might produce attractive dividends throughout the world.
60. Classification of supposed causes of fire is set out in Appendix II and shows little change in pattern of previous years.
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