Fire_Services_1966-1967 — Page 22

81. In order to keep pace with technological advancements it has been found necessary to institute a Fire Prevention Training Course for in-service officers. The syllabus for the course is modelled on pro- grammes of various overseas Fire Service Colleges modified to meet Colony conditions and whilst, due to the lack of adequate training facilities, the course does not as yet achieve the standard desired, its value is already being reflected in the vastly improved standard of reporting shown by the 31 Fire Officers Class III who have to date undergone the course.

82. This course is to be followed shortly by an intermediate one and in the not too distant future by an advanced one.

83. The number of inspections of all types has increased consider- ably as may be seen in Appendix IV to this Report. An interesting feature of this increase of more than 100% is its relativity to the increase of staff in the Bureau, the figures being almost directly proportional.

Building (Ventilation) Regulations

84. Mr. J. R. S. PICKETT, Air Conditioning Inspector, took up his duties in the Bureau in connexion with the Building (Ventilation) Regulations on 10th January 1967. Already almost 1,000 premises have been recorded as requiring inspection under these regulations, and it is becoming increasingly obvious that if the obligations placed on the Service by these regulations are to be adequately met additional trained staff will have to be found for this section of the Bureau.

Abatement of Fire Hazards

85. With the increase in the number of complaints received, work in this field has become increasingly complex. Probably the greatest problem has been the serving of fire hazard notices in multi-storey buildings. Many such buildings have no management associations and in such cases the multiplicity of ownership often makes the apportion- ment of responsibility an extremely difficult task, fortunately however most hazards are usually removed by those responsible on being warned of the dangers involved and legal action is therefore unnecessary. When such warnings are ignored, notices are served in accordance with the provisions of Section 7B of the Fire Services Ordinance. In the course of the year a total of 1,938 such notices were served but only 125 required legal action.

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