APPENDIX J.
REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF OFFICER, FIRE BRIGADE,
FOR THE YEAR
1ST APRIL, 1947 TO 31ST MARCH, 1948.
brary Bo
$
APPENDIX J.
ANNUAL REPORT
CALLS ATTENDED.
1. The Brigade responded to a total of 483 calls during the year, an increase of 176 as compared with the previous year (1.5.46 to 31.3.47). This figure constitutes a record for calls received in any one year.
Actual fires-Property 252, Chimney 41, Grass and Shrubbery
97, Ship 23.
Special Service calls, including house collapses :-48.
L
False alarms-With good intent 12, malicious 10.
There were 6 fires of a serious nature:-
Fire
4.5.47. Cargo junk lying at Kennedy Town Praya.
followed by explosion of 880 bags of sodium nitrate. No casualties owing to alarm being given early enabling immediate area to be evacuated.
J
13.11.47. S.S. "ALPHERAT in harbour. ▲ cargo and passenger vessel of 7,650 tons on which an explosion followed by fire took place while en route to Hong Kong. Three forward holds containing general cargo, chlorate of Potash and Sodium nitrate were on fire. Following extinction of the fire 20 tons of chlorates and 15 tons of nitrates which were in an explosive condition, were dumped at sea as a precautionary measure.
25.12.47. Nos. 211, 213, 215 & 217, Hollywood Road. Four tenements each of 4 floors severely damaged by fire. Five persons were killed and 4 injured.
31.1.48. S.S. "KWONG TUNG" lying at Yuen On Wharf. A river passenger steamer of 1,218 tons gross. 30 lives were lost mainly due to passengers jumping or being pushed into the harbour in the general panic which followed the discovery of a minor outbreak of fire.
A
6.2.48. S.S. HSIN KONG So" lying off Lantau Point.
passenger cargo vessel of 1,037 tous was gutted by fire and beached, resulting in the damage estimated at $1,000,000.00. There were no casualties.
12.3.48. Film Vault fire at Entertainment Building. Film Vault on 4th floor severely damaged and contents destroyed by fire. Two persons were killed as a result of this fire.
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CASUALTIES.
2. A total of 44 persons lost their lives at fires and 46 were injured. 33 people were killed and 62 injured in house collapses. Fire Brigade personnel were instrumental in rescuing 29 persons from fires and extricating alive 73 people from collapsed buildings. In all cases of injury, the patients were removed to hospital by Fire Brigade Ambulances.
3. There were no Fire Brigade casualties of a serious nature.
STAFF.
4. There have been no major staff changes during the year. Strength in all grades has been maintained almost at approved establishment. There has been no difficulty in recruitment to fill the vacancies which have occurred with the exception of Motor Drivers who were in great demand generally.
5. At a presentation of Honours held by His Excellency the Governor on 30th December, 1947, Divisional Officer R. Í. J. Brooks and Station Officer C. W. Browne were presented with the King's Police & Fire Services Medal for gallantry in jointly saving 25 lives on the occasion of the "Sai On" fire.
FIRE ENGINES AND PLANT.
6. All fire engines and plant have been maintained in first class condition by our own staff. Work is well advanced in converting the fire engines from their war-time grey colour to the normal fire engine red. A complete new cylinder block has been fitted to No. 3 motor pump which was severely damaged in 1945.
7. All escapes, ladders and other equipment have been periodically tested and examined during the year.
FIRE STATIONS.
8. All city and rural fire stations are fully manned and equipped. New stations at Sai Kung and Sheung Shui were opened and equipped during the year to provide adequate fire protection for these fairly large and remote villages. It is worthy of note that since their inception, these stations have effectively dealt with local minor outbreaks of fire thereby obviating the despatch on long journeys of fire engines from Kowloon Station.
HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY.
9. The water supply during the year has been most satisfactory. Twenty additional pedestal hydrants have been installed in selected positions. The 408 pedestal and 1,110 ground hydrants were periodically tested by the Brigade and, where necessary, repairs were carried out by the Public Works Department.
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FIRE FLOATS.
10. Both fire floats have been maintained in first class condition by the Marine Department.
FIRE PREVENTION.
11. The Brigade continued its activities in the prevention of fires by inspecting and reporting upon 3,911 premises. The storage of dangerous goods has received particular attention and in this respect 118 prosecutions for infringement of the Dangerous Goods Regulations were undertaken during the year. Fines totalling $26,565.00 were imposed on offenders and dangerous goods to a value of $55,819.30 were confiscated on magistrates' orders.
FIRE HYDRANT SERVICES, ETC.
12. Fire hydrant services in privately owned buildings were inspected and tested, and, where recommended, repairs and adjustments effected.
13. All existing fire fighting equipment installed in Government buildings was tested during the year. Additional apparatus including 73 x 60 feet lengths of fire hose, 141 fire extinguishers and ancillary equipment were provided to schools, hospitals and other Government buildings.
AMBULANCE SERVICE.
14. The seven ambulances operated by the Brigade as an emergency and accident service responded to 3,324 calls, and conveyed 3,573 patients to hospital. The total mileage covered was 29,320 or about 8.8 miles per call.
15. I append hereto :-
I. Graph showing number of calls attended and
estimated monetary losses by fire.
II.
Monthly summary of Ambulance Calls.
III.
Summary of Stations and Plant.
IV. Monthly summary of inspections.
30th June, 1948.
C. W. BRAND,
Actg. C. O. F. B.
į
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APPENDIX J.
ANNE X
I.
CALLS
FIRE BRIGADE, HONG KONG.
NO OF CALLS ATTENDED AND ESTIMATED MONETARY LOSSES BY FIRE, 1ST APRIL, 1941
TO 31ST MARCH, 1948.
CALLS ATTENDOP
F
MONETARY Lodies
=
100
STATISTICAL OFFICE
REFERENCE NAG.400.
d
**
Jo
חני
[1.
நிற்க.முதல்
Jak, der
T
301,440
AMA.
JUNE.
July
AND,
OCT
Nov.
JÁN.
1947
1948
ماء
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APPENDIX J.
ANNEX II
SUMMARY OF AMBULANCE CALLS.
Month
No. of calls
No. of Patients
Miles run
April, 1947
239
248
2,074
May, 1947
291
311
2,434
June, 1947
318
324
2,662
July, 1947
351
392
2,809
August, 1947
315
327
2,626
September, 1947
290
312
2,428
October, 1947
265
307
2.357
November, 1947
239
247
2,219
December, 1947
278
292
2.431
January, 1948
237
278
2,376
February, 1948
237
255
2,274
March, 1948
264
280
2.630
Totals:-
3.324
3,573
29.320
APPENDIX J.
ANNEX III
STATIONS AND PLANT AT 31st MARCH, 1948.
PLANT
Station
Motor Pumps
Motor Escapes (with pumps)
Turntable Emergency Trailer Ladders Tenders Pumps
Fire Floats Ambulances
HONG KONG:
Central
1
Eastern
1
1
Western
1
Shaukiwan
Aberdeen
Aplichau
King Shan Wharf
KOWLOON:-
Kowloon
Terminus
Un Long
Tai Po
Cheung Chau Is.
Tai O
Sai Kung
Sheung Shui
Total:-
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
6
4
2
2
16
2
7
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APPENDIX J.
ANNEX IV
MONTHLY SUMMARY OF INSPECTIONS.
April, '47
July, '47
August, '47
September, '47
October, '47
November, '47
December, '47
January, '48
February, '48
March, '48
TOTAL
Garages
7 15
20
21 33 28 |
66
75 | 20 Į 14 |
3
6 308
Theatres & Cinemas
Boarding Houses
Factories & Workshops
Licensed Premises
21 5
6 |
21
1 |
3
51 | 34 |
39
32
842
3 1
7
4
32
40
10
4
4
125
34
5
11
3 |
22 |
3
9
100
21 |
46
29
6
23 |
59 |
28 |
34 |
402
1
1
10
12
Eating Houses & Restaurants
11 f 13
7
4
10
4
8
8
13
6
4
8
96
Timber Yards & Storages
28
15
6 |
14 |
23 |
36 | 144
36
90 | 61
11 |
34 |
498
Buildings
3
1 |
2
2 |
2
7
1 |
3 1
21
High & Low Flash Inflammable Liquids
25
52
20 |
21
9
11 |
24
34
12 |
8
8 |
12 ¦
236
Petrol Pumps
2 | 25 |
20 F
3
1
14
14 |
7
3 |
61
1 |
96
Kerosene Stores in Shops
126
73
27 |
36 |
3 |
25 | 24
78
30
21
13 |
16 |
473
Dangerous Goods in General
15
42 | 100 |
34 |
7
19 |
37
32 |
46 |
23 |
32 |
24 |
411
Offensive Trades
2
31
2 |
1
1
3
10
5
8 |
3
6 |
44
Fireworks Storages
10
1 1
1
21
2
5
1
16
45 1
5 |
15 |
1
104
Vernacular Schools
8
18 |
14
67 126
83
31
27
26
32
28
37
497
Dancing Halls & Academies
2
1
M
12
8
23
Fire Service Installations
27 |
36
32
32 |
11 |
24
30
13
8
7
4
12
27
231
Miscellaneous
31 10 F
21
14! 11
81 21
24 [
15 | 19
19 | 69 | 234
TOTAL
320 | 346 | 322 | 273 | 279 | 341 | 421›
435
397 295
190 | 292 | 3.911
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