Sessional_Paper_1949 — Page 29

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CHAPTER IX-FIRE EXTINCTION.

Adequacy or Inadequacy of the Equipment of the Fire Brigade:

90. There has been considerable criticism to the effect that the Fire Brigade was inadequately equipped to deal with the Wing On Fire. The criticism is in our opinion to some extent justified as we point out below, but would be better directed to the failure of measures to prevent the storage of 30 tons of cinematograph film in godown No. 5. It is possible that with the addition of many more appliances, the fire in godown No. 2 could have been brought under control earlier than it was by sheer weight of water, but the fire was of an altogether unforeseeable nature, and we do not think that the equipment and the strength of the Fire Brigade should be based on a possible recurrence. Rather we have suggested in the previous chapter that preven- tive measures and their enforcement should be augmented.

91. Mr. Brand in his evidence before the Commission made the statement that the equipment and personnel of the Hong Kong Fire Brigade was "comparable to that of any other Fire Brigade in the world”. The Chief Officer in his evidence some- what qualified this bold statement, but we were unable to adduce any evidence which would serve to show that the fire-fighting equipment of Hong Kong was inferior to that in many cities of the same size. Of course conditions in Hong Kong render it more subject to fire hazard than the majority of cities with a comparable population. On the other hand, it is known that the Colony has a good record of absence of fires, and the rates of insurance here are lower than in any other oriental city. That the rates are about 40% higher than in the United Kingdom can in no way be taken to reflect on the efficiency of the Fire Brigade, but is due to the higher costs of manage- ment here. The absence of big fires, though partially attributable no doubt to the conspicuous absence of wood-built buildings, must in no small degree be credited to the success with which the Fire Brigade extinguishes and controls outbreaks.

92. We were informed by the Chief Officer that he has a programme of replace- ment of semi-obsolete appliances, of which there are now only two, and that financial authority has been received for the retention of these in manned reserve, when their replacements arrive early next year. Ancillary equipment is of the most modern type. We consider that the public has every right to feel confident that its Fire Brigade is equipped to meet all normal fire risks.

93. The Brigade possesses two 100' turntable escape ladders, such as were used for the rescue of inhabitants from the tenements involved in the Fire, one in Hong Kong and one in Kowloon. The utility of such equipment for fighting fires was shown at a recent small fire on the roof of a tall building in the centre of the city. It is possible too that additional equipment of this type might have been of value at the Wing On Fire, but we are unable to make a more positive statement than this. In view of the marked tendency to circumvent the shortage of building space by constructing tall buildings, we consider that there are grounds for increasing the number of appliances of this type, either additional to or in replacement of present equipment.

Personnel Strength of the Fire Brigade:

94. Evidence was given before the Commission of the exhaustion which over- came a number of firemen during the Wing On Fire, and we were much concerned with this. Without the assistance of reinforcements from the Police, which implied removing constables from their ordinary duties, it is very doubtful whether the Fire Brigade shift that came on duty at nine o'clock on the morning of the fire, that is to say one hour after its commencement, could have carried out its duties till the same hour next morning. We understand that the first shift was recalled earlier, and did in fact resume duty at about midnight, when the second shift had been on duty for fifteen hours.

95. The Fire Brigade in 1940 employed a system whereby firemen were on duty for 5 days, followed by one day off. Absenteeism was frequent. The fire-fighting strength up to and including sub-officers was approximately 200. In 1946 the staff was considerably increased to allow a 24-hour on and 24-hour off system to be intro- duced. This was welcomed by the staff, led to a reduction in absenteeism, and