Fire Prevention Bureau. In this we were fortunate to secure the services on temporary terms of Mr. WONG Wai-tsoi, M.B.E., G.I.F.E., who re- tired in 1960 after 27 years service, most of which he spent in fire prevention work. The Training Officer, Fire Prevention will conduct courses (the first of which will commence in May, 1966) at three levels, viz.:
(i) Basic Fire Prevention Course
(ii) Intermediate Fire Prevention Course (iii) Advanced Fire Prevention Course
2 months.
3 months.
6 months.
41. The second improvement was the temporary conversion of Lai Chi Kok and Aberdeen Fire Stations into Special Training Establish- ments Nos. 1 and 2 respectively. Carefully selected personnel were posted to these stations to develop their leadership, capabilities and technical aptitudes. Personnel who had positive potential for advance- ment in the rank and file were posted to S.T.E. No. 2; personnel who had a sound knowledge of English and were, therefore, potential officers were posted to S.T.E. No. 1. These establishments function as normal fire stations, but personnel by rotation discharge the duties of various ranks (although they retain their substantive salary and emoluments). For example, a Leading Fireman posted to S.T.E. No. 1 may one week find himself discharging the duties of a Fire Officer Class III and the following week the duties of a Fireman Class II. At S.T.E. No. 2 a Leading Fireman may be assigned to the duties of a Fireman Class II or a Principal Fireman by rota. Personnel at these establishments are subject to concentrated instruction and study and are kept under excep- tionally close but sympathetic surveillance by specially selected officers. It is too early for any realistic appreciation of the long term value of Special Training Establishments but there are already indications that they may become a principal source of supply for officer echelons and may eventually lead to the abolishment of direct recruitment into such echelons.
Recruiting
42. For the first time in four years the actual strength of the Service is within 13% of the authorized establishment, and there is every pros- pect that the shortfall of 13% will be made up by recruiting in the coming year.
43. The approaching coincidence of actual and authorized establish- ment gives, however, a false impression since even when this is attained
8
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.