HONG KONG
PRICE: $ 2
ANNUAL
DEPARTMENTAL
REPORTS
1956-57
CHIEF OFFICER
FIRE BRIGADE
HONG KONG
ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT
BY THE
CHIEF OFFICER, FIRE BRIGADE
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR 1956-57
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY S. YOUNG, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER.
AT THE GOVERNMENT PRESS.
JAVA ROAD. HONG KONG
:
*
HK
574 FIR 54
1180
ARINE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY
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CONTENTS
Paragraphs
1 - 5
6
FIRE AND OTHER OCCURRENCES
SPECIAL SERVICES
FALSE ALARMS
7
CAUSES OF FIRES
CASUALTIES
FIRE RISKS
STAFF
APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT
FIRE BOATS
HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY
INSPECTION BRANCH AND FIRE PREVENTION
AMBULANCE Service
TRAINING
8
9 - 10
11
12
-
13
14 16
17
18
24
-
-
-
23
25
26 - 28
29
31
-
30
WELFARE
AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE
GENERAL
APPENDICES
CONCLUSION
-
40
41
50
51
--
55
56
57
•
f
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FIRE AND OTHER OCCURRENCES
A TOTAL of 1,086 calls were received and responded to by the Fire Brigade during the year under review as against 1,117 for the preceding year.
Classifications of these calls are as
follows:-
Fires:
Buildings
Electrical
315
134
Chimneys
Motor Vehicles
57
30
Grass & Shrubbery
161
Ships
19
·
Squatter areas
20
Riots
24
Aircraft
1
Small fires
117
Miscellaneous
58
936
False Alarms:
With good intent
22
Malicious
13
35
Special Services:
Landslides, House Collapses, Drowning,
etc.
115
115
Total
1,086
&
The estimate of monetary loss by fires was $6,445,486.48. A graph showing the number of fire calls attended and estimated monetary losses by fire from 1st April, 1956 to 31st March, 1957 appears in Appendix I.
2. The number of serious fires showed a decrease; details of the more notable ones are appended below:
2nd August, 1956-
A fire broke out at Tai Hang Road squatter area on 2nd August, 1956, and about 120 squatter huts were destroyed. In accordance with the Brigade's predeter- mined plan for this squatter area fire appliances took up strategic positions on arrival and connected direct to fire hydrants. In the early stages of the fire the forward positions in the pre-arranged plan were difficult to maintain due to the low water pressure,
1
but this difficulty was soon overcome as water pressu increased and the fire was brought under control and extinguished with ten deliveries from 3 motor pumps pumping from hydrants.
23rd August, 1956-
At 3.15 a.m. on 23rd August, a fire broke out at No. 161, Ki Lung Street, Kowloon. Two fire appliances responded immediately, and on receipt of the third alarm four minutes later, additional fire appliances and ambulances responded. On arrival, the Fire Brigade found that the first floor of a three-storey tenement house was well alight and flames were shooting out from the verandah, threatening to involve the upper floors. An immediate search of the premises revealed the badly burnt bodies of two children on the front verandah. A Chinese woman was fatally injured when she jumped from the first floor before the arrival of the Fire Brigade. The woman died after admission to Kowloon Hospital.
12th November, 1956---
The Fire Brigade received a call to a fire involving a number of squatter huts on the east side of Tin Hau Temple Hill in the Causeway Bay district. Four appliances responded and brought the fire under control about an hour and a half later. The huts, numbering approximately 50, were used as dwellings and covered an area of about 16,000 square feet. Most of the huts were damaged by fire. Two children were burnt to death before the arrival of the Fire Brigade. 9th December, 1956-
At 11.45 a.m. on December 9th, the Fire Brigade received a call to a fire at the Kwong Man Loong Fire- cracker Factory in Pak Tai Street, Kowloon. Seven appliances and one fire boat responded. The Brigade were handicapped to a certain extent by the continual explosions of gun-powder, but were successful in confining the fire to the factory and bringing it under control at 12.45 p.m. The premises consisted of a group of one two-storey building and 14 single- storey structures used for the storage and manufacture
2
1
I
of fire-crackers. As a result of the fire, the premises and their contents were severely damaged. Although the fire occurred during working hours, owing to the regular use and observance of fire drills only 1 person was killed and the remaining employees succeeded in making their escape before the arrival of the brigade. 23rd December, 1956-
A serious fire broke out in the temporary market at Shek Wu Hui near Sheung Shui at about 2.19 a.m. on December 23rd. Two Chinese adults and one child lost their lives in the tragedy, in which some 200 corrugated iron shop structures and huts were destroy- ed together with their contents. The premises involved were the temporary market structures erected in 1955 and consisted of 9 single-storey buildings of corrugated iron sheeting on angle iron roof members supported by cast iron columns, with corrugated iron sheeting on wood-frame partitions. Six of these buildings were approximately 120′ × 32′ and each was divided into 20 back-to-back shops, 12′ × 16' each. The remaining three buildings were approximately 120′ × 24′, and each of them was divided into 24 shops, 10′ × 12′ each, making a total of 192 shops. The internal streets were only 12 feet wide, and the provision of contiguous flimsy shades over the fronts made the market an entirety without any form of fire-break. The rapid spread of fire was attributed to the form of construc- tion and the use of the narrow streets for storage of furniture, shop fixtures, etc., coupled with the storage of kerosene and other inflammable liquids and fire- crackers in some of the shops.
13th February, 1957-
In the early morning of the 13th February, 1957, a serious fire with an unfortunately heavy loss of life, occurred in Canton Road, Kowloon, at the junction with Shan Tung Street. The buildings involved were 992-998 Canton Road and consisted of four 4-storey Chinese tenement buildings with brick load-bearing walls and pitched tiled roofs. From information received and results of investigations, it was assumed
3
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that the fire originated in the rear yard of house No. 998, ground floor, where a very large quantity of box-wood, straw baskets, matting and other highly inflammable commodities were stacked up above the level of the cockloft which was situated in front of the window. Investigations carried out proved that it was not possible to ascertain how these highly combustible articles became ignited. It required 13 fire jets to combat the fire and bring it under control. The majority of these water jets were brought into opera- tion from the fire engines and the fire-boat pumping from the sea. The reasons for the heavy loss of life could be attributed to the late discovery of the fire and the late call which was received by the Fire Brigade. The flimsy wooden internal construction of the build- ing, the lack of alternative means of egress, the obstruction caused by structures erected along the second floor verandah, and the abnormally large number of tenants residing on each floor which in- cluded a number of young children were contributory factors.
3. Apart from the fires mentioned above, there were 18 other outbreaks of fire in squatter areas in the Colony. This was less than in previous years.
4. There was one aircraft crash fire during the year. On 20th May, 1956, at 14.38 hours, a R.A.F. Harvard two-seater training craft No. F.T. 100 crashed into the hillside at Aplichau, where three wooden dwellings were damaged by fire from the burning petrol of the craft. The body of the pilot was located on the first floor verandah of No. 63, San Si Street.
5. The Fire Brigade was called out to 19 fires on ships. The only serious one occurred on the 29th October, 1956, when a fire broke out on the S.S. "Ala", a cargo ship of 5,295 dead weight tons, about 50 miles outside the Colony's harbour limits. The fire boat "Alexander Grantham" responded to the call with a Marine Department officer and the Chief Officer, Fire Brigade, on board. Before the arrival of the fire-boat, an American naval vessel had taken off the ship's crew and was standing by and rendering assistance with their fire appliances. The "Alexander Grantham" steamed into position and began to
4
Fire at Tai Hang Road Squatter Area, Hong Kong, on 2.8.1956.
Fire at Kwong Man Loong Fire-cracker Factory.
Pak Tai Street, Kowloon, an 9.12.1956.
Fire at Canton Road, Kowloon, on 13.2.1957.
Fire on S.S. "Ala",
on 29.10.1956.
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attack the blaze with deck monitors and deliveries. A Fire Brigade party was also put on board the "Ala" to fight the fire. After the fire was brought under control, the Taikoo tug which also arrived at the scene started to tow the stricken vessel back to Hong Kong. During the journey, the fire broke out again on two occasions, which necessitated stopping the towing opera- tion and the Fire Brigade getting to work on the outbreak. The ship was eventually towed into Junk Bay later in the evening where she was beached for safety. The Fire Brigade stood by and continued to attack the blaze, which was of a serious nature, involving the fuel-oil tanks and the engine-room. After a strenuous battle, the Fire Brigade were successful in confining the fire to its original area and prevented it from spreading to the fore and aft holds. The fire, which originally broke out in the fuel tanks, was confined entirely to the mid- ship part of the vessel. The "Ala" which carried no cargo developed a dangerous list on two occasions, but by careful operations the list was kept within the safety margin and no damage, apart from the fire, was done to the steamer. Damage was claimed to the full insurance cover of £300,000.
SPECIAL SERVICES
6. The number of special service calls was greater than in the previous year. Some of the more serious incidents are mentioned below:----
!
(1) An explosion of a boiler occurred on 27th April, 1956, in one of the workshops of the Kowloon-Canton Railway at Hung Hom. A first alarm call was received by the Kowloon Fire Station by telephone from the Police Radio Control at 3.35 p.m. Two fire appliances from Terminus Fire Station and Kowloon Fire Station responded im- mediately with a Station Officer in charge. On arrival at the scene, it was found that an explosion had occurred and that several persons had been seriously injured. An urgent message for the attendance of extra ambulances was sent back to Kowloon Fire Station. All the casualties were moved to the main entrance and given first-aid treat- ment prior to the arrival of the ambulances. Six of the injured died after admission to Kowloon Hospital.
5
(2) A retaining wall and several tons of earth collapsed onto two squatter huts at Yung Shing Lane, Kowloon Tsai, at 8.55 a.m. on 3rd May, 1956. The landslide buried ten persons. On receipt of the call, the Fire Brigade despatched fire appliances and a number of ambulances, which proceeded immediately to the scene of the accident and promptly carried out rescue operations. All the ten persons were extricated, but four of them, a woman and three children, were dead when recovered. The others were removed to Kowloon Hospital for treatment. (3) A traffic accident at Praya, Connaught Road West, occurred on 14th May, 1956, at 00.23 hours. A Ford Consul car ran off the praya into the harbour. Two fire appliances, two ambulances, and No. 2 Fire Boat and a Police launch were used at the scene. After the car had been located at a point 15 feet from the praya in about ten to twelve feet of water, two Police officers and three Fire Brigade members dived under water and eventually made fast a line to the sunken vehicle. The car was then heaved to the surface by Police and Fire Brigade person- nel. Four Chinese, two men and two women, were extricated. Artificial respiration with the use of Novita Resuscitation Apparatus was applied to the .victims, but they were all certified dead on arrival at Queen Mary Hospital.
(4) A bus accident occurred on 20th May, 1956 at 15 miles Castle Peak Road (Tsuen Wan District) where two persons were killed and a total of 31 injured by a single deck bus running off the road and down a 70′-80′ cliff into the rock-strewn sea. Many of the casualties were seriously injured (12 being confirmed as fractures on arrival at hospital) and difficulty was experienced in giving first aid treatment on the rocks at the foot of the cliff before they could be removed from the scene by boat to the nearest convenient point for ambulances. (5) A large landslide, caused by wet earth being loosened as a result of heavy rains, occurred at Kau Wa Kang New Village, Lai Chi Kok, on 8th August, 1956. The fall of earth demolished a reinforced concrete one-storey house. On receipt of the call, the Fire Brigade immediately
despatched fire appliances and a number of ambulances. Six persons were rescued by villagers before the arrival of the Fire Brigade and three other persons were reported missing. Two women were buried from the waist down- wards under masonry, wet earth and reinforced concrete. One was extricated after extensive and very strenuous operations. She died shortly after admission to Kowloon Hospital. The other was certified dead by a medical officer summoned to the scene. A female infant was also rescued but was certified dead on arrival at Kowloon Hospital.
Kowloon Riots
(6) During the riots which broke out on 10th October, 1956 at Li Cheng Uk Resettlement Estate, Shamshuipo, Kow- loon, and extended to other parts of Kowloon and Tsuen Wan, New Territories, many calls to fires were received. The Kowloon Division of the Fire Brigade, with a section of the Auxiliary Fire Service, took part in the operations and shouldered a major share of the dangers and hazards caused by the disturbances. The Fire Brigade, in spite of the continual stoning, responded to all calls received. Two fire appliances were damaged
damaged beyond repair. Members of the Brigade displayed magnificient courage and devotion to duty in spite of fatigue and lack of rest, and operations were carried out under continual attacks by the rioters throwing stones and bottles. A number of firemen sustained injuries through vicious attacks made on them by the rioters whilst they were attempting to carry out their duties under difficult and dangerous conditions.
1.
FALSE ALARMS
The number of false alarms was comparatively low and 22 out of 35 were given with good intent. Action was always taken by the Police in attempting to apprehend the culprits who originated malicious false alarms.
CAUSES OF FIRES
8. Careless handling and negligent use of inflammable liquids were still by far the most common causes of fires. Children playing with matches and the indiscriminate discarding of
7
lighted cigarette ends caused a large number of fires to brea.. out in dwellings. Burning firewood falling from unattended chatties and igniting combustible materials on the floor was another cause of fires. A number of fires were traceable to the negligent use of electrical appliances or to the occurrence of short circuits in unprotected and faulty wiring. A great number of fires were also caused by defective or badly-constructed kerosene stoves and by negligent handling of such stoves when used for domestic purposes.
CASUALTIES
9. Details of casualties recorded as a result of fires and other causes (i.e. landslides, collapsed buildings, drowning, etc.) and of the number of persons rescued by the Fire Brigade are as follows: ---
Fires
Death. Injured. Rescued.
74
132
1
Rescued but died after.
1
Landslides, Collapsed
Buildings, Drowning
and other causes
33
188
22
16
10. No serious injuries were suffered
were suffered by the Brigade personnel.
FIRE RISKS
11. Fire risk in squatter areas is being gradually reduced owing to the construction of Resettlement Estates to rehouse the squatters. Officers of the Fire Brigade continue to give regular lectures and talks to the residents of the remaining squatter areas, with the result that squatters are becoming more con- scious of the danger of fires and very often outbreaks of fire in squatter areas have been checked in their initial stages, thus keeping the fire damage down to a minimum.
STAFF
12. The strength of the Brigade was increased by the addition of 5 officers and 44 other ranks. The approved establishment of this Department on 31st March, 1957, was 645 officers and other ranks.
13. Four vacancies for expatriate officers were notified to the Crown Agents who had some difficulty at first in finding experienced and suitable candidates. However, three applicants
8
have been selected and recruitment to fill the fourth post is proceeding. Local recruitment was not up to the standard expected, especially in the case of firemen and watchkeepers.
APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT
14. All fire appliances and equipment were regularly tested, overhauled and maintained in an efficient and good working order by the mechanical staff of the Brigade.
15. Two Land Rover fire appliances were received from the United Kingdom and allocated to the sub-stations in the New Territories. Two pump-escapes as replacements and one pump- escape for Yuen Long District were ordered.
16. The radio telephone net-work, consisting of 2 fixed main ground stations, 8 mobile units and 10 pack sets, was in full operation throughout the year. The system is of great advan- tage when working at large fires, etc. where no other means of communication is available.
FIRE BOATS
17. The Brigade has a fleet of 3 fire boats, consisting of the "Alexander Grantham" and two smaller vessels with which it was possible to cope with all fires that broke out on board ships in the harbour. These craft were also used for relaying water for fighting fire on land where difficulty arose from water restrictions. These fire boats were regularly slipped, over- hauled and maintained by the Marine Department.
HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY
18. Fire hydrants, both pedestal and ground, were inspected quarterly and all defects reported to the Water Authority for repairs to be effected.
19. By the end of the year, new installations and replace- ments had brought the total number of pedestal and ground hydrants to 690 and 1,285 respectively.
20. Throughout the year, the Water Authority provided turn-cocks at fire stations to allow water valves to be operated during the hours when the water supply was restricted. These arrangements do not prove entirely satisfactory, as in the early stages of fire fighting water restrictions do retard operations
9
to a certain degree. Consideration is therefore being given to the installation of a small number of experimental hydrants with direct connexion to the Kowloon trunk mains, thus ensuring a 24-hour supply for fire-fighting.
21. Salt water hydrants proved to be very valuable in check- ing fires during water restriction hours on several occasions. These hydrants were also inspected quarterly and maintained in good working order.
22. The static water tanks were regularly inspected and maintained in good conditions.
23. In view of the continued restriction of water supply, this Department continued to advise owners or occupiers of buildings which had private fire service installations fed by street mains to provide roof water-storage tanks. As the result of its encouragement, and with co-operation of the Public Works Department, many such tanks were erected. These tanks are supplied by well-water, and usually have a capacity of 2,000 gallons, which ensures that water is always available for dealing with fires in the initial stage.
INSPECTION BRANCH AND FIRE PREVENTION
24. Officers attached to the Inspection Branch made a total of 9,314 inspections of premises of various descriptions during the year under review. Apart from routine inspections in connexion with the administering of various Ordinances, these inspections included goodwill visits and investigations of com- plaints of illegal storage of dangerous goods, or of obstruction to staircases or fire escapes, etc.
25. Prosecutions of offenders for infringements of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the Miscellaneous (Timber Stores) Ordinance, and the Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Ordin- ance, were undertaken on 88 occasions and convictions were registered in all cases with fines totalling $15,330.00. In many cases illegally stored dangerous goods were confiscated in addition to fines being imposed.
being imposed. A detailed summary of inspections is shown in Appendix II.
26.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
The Brigade has a fleet of 18 ambulances which operate from 7 different fire stations-i.e. Central, Eastern and Western
10
in Hong Kong; Kowloon and Terminus in Kowloon; and Tai Po and Yuen Long in the New Territories.
27. There were 15,905 emergency calls involving 17,205 patients and 19,007 removals with 24,044 patients involved. The total mileage for both services was 327,328 for the whole period under review. Charges were made for removals and the revenue collected amounted to $49,375.
28. Compared with the previous year, emergency calls regis- tered an increase of 621 calls received and 748 patients removed, whilst removals showed an increase of 2,235 and 2,983 patients. A detailed summary of calls received and number of patients conveyed is shown in Appendix III.
TRAINING
29. Brigade personnel received regular training which in- cluded lectures in firemanship in addition to practical drills. The initial training of recruits was undertaken at Central Fire Station.
30. The two Elementary English Classes for Firemen-one Year II and one Year III-commenced on 17th and 18th Septem- ber, 1956, respectively at the Central Fire Station. The class for Year II consisted of 26 students, and that for Year III of 24 students who passed their annual examination in the previous term.
WELFARE
31. The Fire Brigade Welfare Fund, the receipts of which were principally derived from charges for services rendered to the public in the form of duties performed at matshed theatres etc., was well maintained. Disbursements for various purposes amounted to $4,366.79 (including depreciation on local invest- ment $556.40) connected with the welfare of the members of the Brigade, and the excess of income over expenditure was $5,683.21. $15,810.88 was brought forward from the previous year and the total sum deposited in Treasury as at 31st March, 1957 was $7,174.09. The value of local investment was $14,040 plus outstanding loans amounting to $280. Statement of Receipts and Payments covering the transactions of the fund for the period 1st April, 1956 to 31st March, 1957, and the
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I
Balance Sheet as at the end of this period, audited by the Director of Audit, are shown in Appendix IV.
32. A Station Officer acts as departmental welfare officer his duties being to give constant attention to the welfare activities of the Fire Brigade.
33. Leave rosters were in operation throughout the year; enabling any member of the non-expatriate uniformed and other staff to make his leave arrangements well in advance, and to receive a period of vacation or casual leave according to his entitlement.
34. The canteens established at Central Fire Station and Kowloon Fire Station were well patronized during the year. The mobile canteen attended fires of a serious nature and provided light refreshments for the fire-fighting personnel engaged. The refreshments consumed were charged to the Fire Brigade Welfare Fund.
35. A Station Officer acts as Sports Officer of the Brigade. Friendly miniature football and basket ball matches were played between stations and with other Sports Clubs in the Colony. The members showed a keen interest in such games.
36. An Aquatic Sports Competition was held at Chung Sing Bathing Pavilion, Kennedy Town, on 26th August, 1956. The Programme consisted of 8 events, in which keen competition was shown. At the conclusion of the meeting the Chief Officer distributed the prizes to the winners. The prizes were pur- chased from the Welfare Fund.
37.
Film shows were held at Fire Stations from time to time for the entertainment of members of the Brigade and their families free of charge. The projector and films were obtained on loan from the local film companies.
38. Members of the Brigade took part in launch picnics arranged by the Auxiliary Fire Service on the following dates:
19th May, 1956
9th June, 1956
7th July, 1956
Clear Water Bay Cheung Chau
Mui Wo
Picnic Bay
22nd September, 1956
12
A launch was hired from the Hong Kong & Yaumati Ferry Co., Ltd. for this purpose on each occasion.
39. Social Evenings were arranged for the staff and their families on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The parties were well attended and included "entertaining" turns by various officers.
40. A children's Christmas Party was held at Central Fire Station on Boxing Day, at which Santa Claus was present.
AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE
41. The Auxiliary Fire Service is raised under the terms of the Essential Services Corps (Auxiliary Fire Service) Regula- tions and consists of both volunteers and conscripts. At the end of March, it had a strength of 595 men and women. Manning its own equipment and appliances, it is designed to assist the regular Fire Brigade in peacetime and emergency.
42. After completion of training and passing the requisite examinations, recruits are posted to platoons for regular weekly platoon training. Qualified firemen may thereafter join the Officers Training Class. In addition to their driving test, fire- men drivers must also undergo a Pump Operators Course.
43. Regular weekly platoon training under the supervision of a regular Fire Brigade Officer at each station was carried out during the year under review at:-
Hong Kong.
A.F.S. Training Centre,
North Point
Mo Shuk Middle School,
Aberdeen
Kowloon.
Kowloon Fire Station
New Territories.
Shatin Cheung Chau Sai Kung
Sheung Shui Tai O
Tai Po Tsuen Wan
Yuen Long
44. The A.F.S. Training Centre, North Point, was officially opened on 18th October, 1956, by the Hon. Ngan Shing Kwan, O.B.E., J.P. It consists of a 3-storey building on the water- front with ample space for training, storage and garaging of appliances. It also contains facilities for qualified members of the A.F.S. to undertake overnight training at weekends, ready to assist the regular Fire Brigade at fires.
13
45. During the year under review, the Auxiliary Fire Service attended and assisted the regular Fire Brigade in fire-fighting operations at the following fires:
20th May, 1956
2nd August, 1956 5th November, 1956 7th November, 1956 11th November, 1956 12th November, 1956 29th November, 1956 11th December, 1956 23rd December, 1956
29th January, 1957
HKAAF Aircraft crash on hillside
at Aplichau
Squatter Fire, Tai Hang Road Pak She Street, Cheung Chau, N.T. Aplichau Fire
Shan Bin Terrace Squatter Fire Tin Hau Temple Road Squatter Fire do
Factory Street, Shaukiwan
Shek Wu Hui Market, Sheung Shui,
N.T.
Aberdeen District Fire
46. As in previous years, squads of the Auxiliary Fire Service were detailed to man various stations in Hong Kong and Kowloon on the 1st and 10th October, with others on the alert- a precaution which enabled the Auxiliary Fire Service to come to the immediate assistance of the regular Fire Brigade in coping with the rioting in Kowloon on 10th to 13th October, 1956.
47. In the Annual Colony Civil Defence Exercise held on 6th January, 1957, all qualified officers and men were mobilized to take part in the A.F.S. whole-day exercise. In addition, monthly exercises and drills were held to test the efficiency and turn-out of both fire-ground and Control Centre Personnel.
48. The Auxiliary Fire Service Band gave the following public performances under the auspices of the Urban Services Department:-
2nd July, 1956
26th August, 1956 2nd December, 1956 26th December, 1956 26th March, 1957
Victoria Park
Victoria Park
Victoria Park
MacPherson Playground King George V Garden
49. The Auxiliary Fire Service Annual Competition Drill was again cancelled this year in order not to aggravate the Colony's water shortage.
50. A cocktail party sponsored by the Auxiliary Fire Service Welfare Recreation Club was held after the inauguration of the new Training Centre at North Point and was attended by dis- tinguished guests, members of the Unit and their families. The
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MARINE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY
Club also held an Officers' Ball on 26th January, 1957, when a raffle to raise funds for the welfare work of the Club was drawn.
GENERAL
51. The new Sheung Shui Fire Station was officially declared open by the District Commissioner, New Territories, on 4th April, 1956. The station accommodates 2 Land Rover fire appliances and will be able to cover the fire risk in the area to a reasonable extent as the first step in modern fire protection. 52. A small sub-station at Shatin, built by the Shatin Rural Committee, was officially opened on 5th September, 1956. The station accommodates one Land Rover appliance and one trailer pump, which is considered to give adequate fire cover to the area for the time being.
53. Local Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Organizations showed a keen interest in the Fire Service. At the request of these organizations, courses of lectures on firemanship and fire- fighting were given to Scouts and Guides periodically at Central Fire Station and Eastern Fire Station. Each course, consisting of a series of lectures, was well attended and the students were most attentive. On completion of the courses, tests were given and the majority of the students passed out satisfactorily.
54.
The Dangerous Goods Ordinance, 1873 was repealed, An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the law relating to dangerous goods, cited as the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, 1956, has come into force.
55. An amendment was made to the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228) by the addition of a new section 6A requiring that all buildings should be provided with adequate means of escape in the event of fire and enabling the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade to enforce such requirement and that staircases should be kept free of obstructions.
56.
APPENDICES
I append hereto the following:
I.
II.
Graph showing the number of fire calls attended and estimated monetary losses by fire.
Summary of Monthly Inspections.
III. Summary of Ambulance calls attended.
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IV. Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Fire
Brigade Welfare Fund; Balance Sheet; Statement of Local Investment; and Statement of Outstanding Loans.
V. Summary of existing Fire Stations and Plant.
CONCLUSION
57. In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge my appreciation of the assistance and co-operation rendered to the Fire Brigade by other Departments and of the loyal support of all members of the staff of the Fire Brigade and Auxiliary Fire Service.
W. J. GORMAN, Chief Officer, Fire Brigade.
:
27th June, 1957.
16
Thousand Dollars
5,000
4,900
FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG
Number of Fire Calls attended and Estimated Monetary Losses by Fire from 1st April, 1956 to 31st March, 1957.
Calle attended w
Monetary lossES
4,800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
APPENDIX I
Calls
140
120
100
B
80
60
40
20
0
Apr May Jun.
Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct.
Nov. Dec. Jan.
Feb. Mar.
18
April
May
June
MONTHLY SUMMARY OF INSPECTIONS
1956
July
August
September
October
November
Garages
1
Cinemas and Theatres
17
- to
Hotels and Boarding Houses.....
Factories and Workshops
38
68
523一65
5
2
4
13
5
25
12
10
31
125
78
1
78
74
30
76
44
43
20-*
4
1
2
46
65
21
24
448
1
1
3
23
37
21
597
Eating Houses and
Restaurants
9
6
4
11
9
12
13
12
26
25
18
27
172
Timber Yards and Storages
11
14
10
9
140
157
95
50
56
32
24
14
612
Buildings,
8
4
4
5
5.
6
3 i
8
3
5
61
High and Low Flash
Inflammable Liquids...
132
154
113
72
Petrol Pumps...
32
57
29
Kerosene Stored in Shops....
481
339
293
162
Dangerous Goods in General...
238
187
194
Fireworks Storages
Schools
10
18
14
Fire Service Installations
25
23
15
Printing Pressee....
17
16
11
Offensive Trade
1
Dancing Halls and Academies..
75
23
39
Miscellaneous
108
176 126
2288 1820|&&
40
34
12
25
24
91
122
123
2333
17
20
8
14
84
718
37
25
20
3
4
6
274
40
114
93
131
426
2,415
99
51
39
38
69
46
40
31
214
1,246
1
1
1
3
36
53
28
40
38
31
26
15
30
339
19
La co
6
30
28
14
15
37
38
68
318
8
11
5
3
5
11
8
8
120
1
1
1
5
15
14
7
16
12
20
28
21
290
119
207
120
64
114
156
75
255
1.647
TOTAL.
1,202 1,105
947
696
650
729
662
529
586
553
448 | 1,207
9,314
December
January
February
March
1957
TOTAL
APPENDIX II
SUMMARY OF AMBULANCE CALLS
APPENDIX III
No. of Calls
No. of Patients
Month
Miles Run
Emer-
Removal Total
gency
Emer-
gency
Removal Total
1956
April
1,304
1,691 2,995 1,405
2,025 3,430
27,652
May
1,285
1,572
2,857
June
1,430
1,703
3,133 1,544
1,433 1,967
2,094
3,400
27,528
3,638
29,237
July
1,495
1,718
3,213
1,609
2,214 3,823 30,723
August
1.616
1,441
3,057 1,697 1,976 3,673
29,243
September
1,455
1,502
2,957
1,618 1,813 3,431
27,589
October
1,213
1,487
2,700
1,381
1,897 3,278
26,181
November
1,145
1,464 2,609
1,233 1,836 3,069
24,496
December
1,242
1,583
2,825
1,333 2,001
3,334
26,493
1957
January
1,345
1,696
3,041
1,429
2,118 3,547 27,043
February
1,149
1.496 2,645
- 1,237 1,936 3,173 24,363
March
1,226
1,654
2,880
1,286 2,167 3,453 26,780
TOTAL...... 15,905 19,007 34,912 17,205 24.044
41,249 327,328
Emergency Cases
Removal Cases
D
No. of Calls
No. of Patients
No. of Calls
No. of Patients
M
April, 1956 March, 1957......
15,905
17,205
19,007
24,044
April, 1955-March, 1956......
15,284
16,457
16,772
21,061
INCREASE.
621
748
2,235
2,983
19
20
FIRE BRIGADE WELFARE FUND
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st March, 1957
APPENDIX IV
PAYMENTS
$
RECEIPTS
$
(a) Cash awards...
(b) Comforts, conveniences etc. :-
Fines
301.00
Firemen's services........
9,259.00
(i) Purchase of sports gear etc. (ii) Maintenance or improvement of
playing field
239.04
Interest on local investment
490.00
(iii) Transport expenses
(iv) Grants or assistance to Fire Brigade
club, canteen or recreation rooms
(v) Books, magazines and other periodicals
(vi) Educational expenses
(vii) Entertainment expenses
(viii) Medical and dental expenses
(ix) Grants on death of serving Fire Brigade members or pensioners
(x) Other suitable purposes
Depreciation on local investment
Balance being excess of receipts over
payments
2,984.95
586.40
556.40
5.683.21
$ 10,050.00
↓
$ 10,050.00
(Sd.) W. J. GORMAN,
Chief Officer, Fire Brigade.
17. 5. 57.
21
FIRE BRIGADE WELFARE FUND
Balance Sheet as at 31st March, 1957
APPENDIX IV-Contd.
LIABILITIES
$
ASSETS
Value of Fund as at 1st April, 1956
15,810.88
Cash deposited in Treasury....
Add excess of receipts over payments
5.683.21
Local investment at cost
Less depreciation
Outstanding loans
$ 21,494.09
$
7,174.09
14,596.40
556.40
14.040.00
280.00
$ 21,494.09
(Sd), W. J. GORMAN,
Chief Officer, Fire Brigade.
17. 5. 57.
The above Accounts have been examined in accordance with Regulation 12 of the Fire Brigade (Welfare Fund) Regulations, 1954. I have obtained all the information and explanations that I have required, and I certify, as a result of this audit, that in my opinion the Accounts are correct.
AUDIT DEPARTMENT,
Hong Kong, 12th June, 1957.
(Sd). F. E. L. Carter, Director of Audit.
APPENDIX IV Contd.
FIRE BRIGADE WELFARE FUND
Statement of Local Investments as at 31st March, 1957
Stocks
Nominal
Value
Middle market price at 30.3.57
Market value
Book value
Apprecia
tion
Deprecia- tion
$
$
Hong Kong Govern-
ment 31% Rehabi- litation Loan
1973/78.
16,000 |
87.75
14,040.00
14,596.40
556.40
(Sd.) W. J. Gorman,
Chief Officer, Fire Brigade.
17. 5. 57.
FIRE BRIGADE WELFARE FUND
Statement of Outstanding Loans as at 31st March, 1957
Outstanding loans as at 1st April, 1956
Nil
Loans made for period 1st April, 1956 to 31st March, 1957
$600.00
Re-payment of Loans for period 1st April, 1956 to 31st March, 1957.......................
320.00
Outstanding loans as at 31.3.57
22323
$280.00
(Sd.) W. J. GORMAN,
Chief Officer, Fire Brigade.
17. 5. 57.
23
HONG KONG:
Central
Eastern
Western.
Shaukiwan
Aberdeen
STATIONS AND PLANT AT 31ST MARCH, 1957
Turn- table Ladders
PLANT
HONG KONG FIRE BRIGADE
APPENDIX V
AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE
Radio Canteen Motor Trailer Motor
Pumps Pumps Cycle
Rescue Foam Trailer Fire Ambul- Hose Tenders Tenders Pumps Boats ances Lorry
Ván
van
Motor Motor Escapes Pumps (with
pumps)
1
King Shan Wharf....
A.F.S. Training Depot
Fire Boat No. 3
Cheung Chau
Tai 0.
KOWLOON AND NEW
TERRITORIES:
Kowloon
Terminus
Tsuen Wan
Yuen Long
3
Sheung Shui
2
Tai Po
Shatin
Sai Kung
TOTAL
14
5 3
1
LA G
1
મ
2
2
32
3
18
1
2
1
10
1 10