Sessional_Paper_1921 — Page 58

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An electric light plant on No. 1 Fire Float has been approved and will be supplied forthwith. The float will be lighted up and clusters of lights worked from the float or in the alternative a searchlight. A portable searchlight should be carried on No. 2 float. A certain number of powerful oil lamps and also electric hand torches should be carried on board as has been suggested. A coffee machine and a supply of provisions for firemen should also be carried on each float. The hose couplings of the 4" hose should be discarded and automatic couplings provided. I further recommend that the Naval Authorities be approached in the inatter of lending assistance when required, particularly at fires on board ships. Their general training and familiarity with ships make them particularly well fitted to fight an outbreak of fire on board ship. They are also supplied with smoke helmets. It would, I think, be advisable to have a definite arrangement with the Naval Authorities. for the supply of men and smoke helmets when required, provided they agree. Naval parties at present attend all large fires and are most useful but their services would be invaluable at ship fires.

C.---Fire Stations.

Exclusive of two small Fire Stations at Shaukiwan and Ün Long each containing a steam fire engine, the Fire Stations consist of:--

1 3-storied old building in Queen's Road Central, Victoria.

1 New Fire Station at Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui.

It

The present Fire Brigade Headquarters are quite unsuitable for Fire Brigade work. They consist of a number of tenement houses converted into what must have been intended as temporary Fire Brigade premises only. The building is too small, has no yard or drill ground of any kind and obstructs the footpath. It is also situated on a narrow street which hampers the movement of the fire appliances, and the street is completely obstructed when the Brigade turns out. The premises are too small to house the ùumber of fire appliances on order or the personnel. The turntable ladders could not be housed there owing to their size. Plans for a new Station opposite the Central Market have been prepared and work will it is hoped, be commenced on the new Fire Brigade Headquarters this year. This building meets all the latest requirements of an up to date Station and will be an invaluable asset to the Brigade when completed contains accommodation for 8 inotor appliances, quarters for 100 firemen, married quarters for Chinese Foremen, mechanics and others who must necessarily live on the premises, and married quarters also for the Superintendent and the Station Officer (European). A hose tower, drill tower and an ample yard are also provided. Rapid access to the ground floor from the firemen's quarters will be provided by means of brass poles. Doors opening automatically will also be fitted. Drying rooms and machine shops are also included. (See Appendix C.) This building can, however, hardly be completed under 2 to 3 years, as it forms one side of a large block of buildings covering the whole site opposite the Central Market in Des Voeux Road. It will therefore te necessary to house the Brigade or some part of it in temporary premises to supplement bhe present premises in Queen's Road Central. Such premises can be erected on the temporary reclamation near No. 2 Police Station, Wanchai. According to the present scheme it is not proposed to have Sub-Stations in Victoria but to concentrate the entire Brigade at Headquarters, but should it be found advisable, the question of Sub-Stations an be considered in connection with new District Police Stations in Wanchai and Sai Ying Pun Districts. It might be well to station one Motor pump with extension ladder in each of these districts, but no doubt the experience gained by opening the temporary Sub-Station in Wanchai will make it possible to come to definite conclusions on this subject. The temporary premises should be large enough to take two machines and 20 firemen. They should be ready in time to take one or more of the new machines on order from home which will arrive in the autumn. This arrangement appears to be the best solution of the housing problem of the Brigade in Victoria, during the erection of the new Headquarters.

The new premises in Kowloon are adequate for the equipment of the Brigade, but it will be necessary shortly to erect quarters for the firemen on the premises. They are at present housed at the Water Police Station adjoining, where the accommodation is inadequate. Owing to the excellent situation of the Fire Station on a broad thoroughfare giving easy access to all parts of Kowloon, it is considered that this Station will suffice for the needs of the peninsula for some time to come.