Fire_Services_1964-1965 — Page 7

GENERAL SURVEY OF THE YEAR

THE activities of the Department during the past year have been characteristic of Hong Kong, namely, increases all round.

2. Outbreaks of fire increased by 70% and special service calls by 75%. There were an unprecedented number of occasions when the full scale mobilization of professionals and Auxiliaries for extended periods, due to typhoons, was necessary.

3. Recruiting difficulties at every level of entry into the Service have increased to a degree which (unless we can devise in the coming year effective remedies) may threaten the Service's effectiveness and efficiency within the next five years.

4. Long experience in intimate contact with the variety of misfortunes which befall the public in a crowded metropolis gives rise to a great deal of 'crystal gazing' by Senior Commanders in an attempt to anticipate, and therefore plan for, the 'visitation' of fires and other calamities.

5. A study of climatic conditions over the past 10 years influenced us in the belief that as floods not infrequently follow droughts, we could expect landslides and house collapses of abnormal proportions.

6. Following a relatively 'light' year in 1963/64 so far as major fires were concerned, it was highly probable that 1964/65 would prove to be a most trying period. We expected a troublesome year with squatter fires. Previous statistics also indicated that major fires in industry and shipping might be above average.

7. In few public services does the expression 'man proposes, God disposes' apply so aptly as it does to the Fire Service. Our predictions were accurate in only two areas, namely major fires in industry and an increase in incidents generally; however, in these areas advance planning paid handsome dividends.

FIRE SERVICE

8. A major highlight of the year has been the emergence of the fact that in Hong Kong, the winter months can no longer be taken in isolation as representing the critical period for outbreaks of fire. A side effect of

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