ANNUAL
DEPARTMENTAL
REPORTS
1963-64
DIRECTOR OF
FIRE SERVICES
*
HONG KONG
ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT
BY THE
DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES
R. G. COX., C.ST.J., G.M., M.I.FIREE.
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR 1963 - 64
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY S. YOUNG, Government Printer
AT THE GOVernment Press, Java RoAD, HONG KONG
EXCHANGE RATES
When dollars are quoted in this Report, they are, unless otherwise stated, Hong Kong dollars. The official rate for conversion to pound sterling is HK$16=£1 (HK$1=1s. 3d.). The official rate for conversion to U.S. dollars is HK$5.714 ---- US$1 (based on £1=US$2.80).
CONTENTS
GENERAL SURVEY OF THE Year
FIRE SERVICE.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT
FIRE SERVICE AUXILIARIES
Paragraphs
1
-
10
11 14
15
16
17 - 19
MAJOR
PROBLEMS
SERVICES
AFFECTING
FIRE
AND
AMBULANCE
20 - 24
D
COMMUNICATIONS
ESTABLISHMENT, AWARDS AND FINANCE.
BUILDINGS AND ACCOMMODATION TRAINING
25 - 27
28 - 30
31
·
32 - 41
,
OPERATIONS and Causes of Fires.
42 - 44
Fires and Special Services of Particular InteresT
45 - 67
WELFARE
68 - 70
TRANSPORT, WORKSHOPS AND STORES
71 - 78
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
79 - 97
Staff AssocIATIONS
98 - 101
APPRECIATION
102 - 105
APPENDICES
Appendix
I. Organizational Chart.
II. Causes of Fires, Deaths and Injuries.
III. Analysis of Special Services.
IV.
Distribution of Staff.
V. Summary of Major Equipment, Fire Stations and other Premises. VI. Summary of Inspections-Fire Prevention Bureau.
VII. Workshops Statistics.
VIII.
Statement of Welfare Fund.
IX. Graph on Time Attendances to Fires.
iii
GENERAL SURVEY OF THE YEAR
An analysis of the 27,000 'Emergency' calls responded to by the Depart- ment during the year has demonstrated more noticeably than hitherto the multi-purpose character of the services provided to the public. For the first time the number of persons (488) removed to safety at 'Special Service' incidents has exceeded by 391 rescues at fires.
2. At the end of the 1962-63 fire season (which, due to recurrent periods of low humidity, had resulted in an all time record in outbreaks. of fires) the Service looked forward to the summer of 1963 providing a period of normality when opportunity could be taken to service and repair appliances and equipment damaged during the preceding fire season. However, this was not to be, as the continuing drought provided the Service with additional 'Special Services' of a different and unusual character.
3. In no territory, with fire and life risks such as those existing in the Colony, has a Fire Service been required to plan for the tactical problems likely to be encountered due to water mains being empty for days at a time.
4. By July 1963, stringent water rationing had created in a number of buildings a critical shortage of flushing water, and the Service was called upon to apply its viable resources in pumping equipment and manpower to avoid a breakdown in sanitation systems.
5. Within a few weeks of the one day in four rationing policy, per- sonnel of the Fire Service Workshops converted lorries on loan from the Government Pool into mobile tankers which, together with water carriers from the Urban Services Department and fire appliances, were used between June and December 1963 to transport nearly 10 million gallons of salt and non-potable water. Additionally, Fire Service pumping equipment was utilized to take advantage of the potable water offered to Government by naval vessels of varying nationalities when visiting the Colony.
6. Concurrently with these activities, Senior Commanders and plan- ning staff at Fire Services Headquarters commenced work on devising methods which would mitigate the technical problems with which the
1
Service would be faced in the highly likely event of the drought carrying over into the 1963-64 fire season.
7. Whilst there had been very substantial improvements in the Colony during the past six years in extensions to 24 hour trunk mains and salt water installations generally, there were, nevertheless, vast areas of high risk which were without water in the mains except for 4 hours in each 4 day period. Whilst Fire Service turncocks were available round the clock to turn on supplies when fires occurred, above the 100 ft. level an inordinate amount of time would elapse before mains and storage tanks in 'High Blocks' in the low lying areas were filled and pressure was sufficient to fight fires at and above the 100 ft. level.
8. The only practical solution in the short time available was a sup- plementary mains system laid above ground to enable maximum advantage to be taken of sea water in the harbour and from terminal points of existing salt water installations. 15 miles of 6" polythene piping together with fittings was borrowed from the British Fire Service and had by the end of the year 1963 (in time for the fire season) been laid by Fire Service personnel in vital areas where the effects of water shortage could in the event of a fire be most grievous. Account also had to be taken of the fact that the 'production costs' of fresh water had in August risen dramatically, resulting in an expenditure of $5: per minute for the use of even the smallest fire fighting jet. It followed therefore, that financial considerations, as well as conservation of potable water, required a fire fighting policy based on almost total prohibition of the use of fresh water. An unplanned for development arising from the use of sea water was the frequency with which Fire Service personnel sustained electric shocks when fire fighting. On three occasions the effect was so violent as to eject without warning branchpipes from lines of hose held by per- sonnel. As a result, rubber gloves had to be issued to all branchmen!
9. Events also dictated the need for change in conventional tactics, which in normal times provided for four appliances to be despatched to a '1st alarm' call. With a 'non-reliance on fresh water' policy in force, it was necessary to establish a 'dual' 1st attendance, namely, a greatly increased number of appliances (including water tankers) to the fire, and a special attendance of heavy pumping appliances, hose laying and ramp lorries together with Despatch Riders to the nearest sea water pumping site. The effectiveness of measures taken may be gauged by the fact that, in spite of the critical water supply situation, no major fire of any consequence developed during the 1963-64 fire season.
2
10. An especially noticeable feature during the year was the increase in the number, size and variety of Special Service calls. Such calls are so designated as being ones received from members of the public in respect of an incident or calamity where no fire is involved. The rate of growth and complexity of 'Special Services' indicates quite clearly that consideration will have to be given to the rapid expansion of 'Special Service Units' approved for the first time in the 1963--64 Estimates.
FIRE SERVICE
11. Whilst abnormal conditions of drought brought great hardship to the public, to the Service it brought benefits in the form of high humid- ities which rarely dropped below the critical point of 65% and then only for a few hours. This factor coupled with the fire prevention publicity campaign organized by the Information Services Department and the field work performed 'round the clock' by Fire Service Officers using public address equipment loaned from the Police Force, resulted in number of fires being 10% less than the previous year.
12. After two disastrous Chinese New Year celebrations and the continuing drought the Service expected to be heavily engaged during the 1963 Chinese New Year's celebrations.
13. A great deal of time and study by all Departments concerned had resulted in an evaluation of the continuing practice of unrestricted fireworks discharge. It was agreed that total prohibition was neither practicable nor, in view of other restrictions being forced on the public, desirable. Special measures to avoid fires and injuries on the scale of 1962 and 1963 were therefore limited to reducing the permitted hours for discharge, coupled with extensive and continuous appeals both direct to the public and through Kaifongs and other organizations. It is impos- sible to be precise in determining which area of action was the more successful, but one factor is clear, namely, that the number of fires attrib- utable to fireworks in 1963 showed a reduction on previous years sufficient to justify a repetition in 1965 of the 1964 policy.
14. Life hazards in high buildings continue to present on the occasion of fires, difficulties and possibilities of major disasters which cannot adequately be met by existing resources and conventional tactics. A new concept of dual '1st Attendances' to 'High Blocks' is being considered which will provide highly trained teams of fit young officers and men adopting commando tactics in 'Search and Rescue'.
3
AMBULANCE SERVICE
15. Demand by both the public and medical profession continue to rise at the anticipated rate. The most noticeable feature in 1963-64 has been the increase in the number and severity of traffic accidents requiring attendances by 'Special Service Units' in addition to ambulances.
AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT
16. Airport Fire Service personnel had a relatively busy year in dealing with 210 incidents, the most serious of which was a crash landing by a Boeing 720 with 75 persons on board, which providentially did not take fire.
FIRE SERVICE AUXILIARIES
17. Auxiliaries were especially active during the height of the water crisis when personnel performed some 8,500 hours additional duties.
18. A considerable measure of re-organization has taken place providing for Auxiliaries to be posted to Fire Stations nearest to their homes and places of work, thus enabling them to play a more active role in the day to day work of their Professional colleagues.
19. The Defence Secretary attended the 1963 Annual Parade and Competitions at which the tremendous improvements achieved by whole- time Training Officers in the technical proficiency of the Auxiliaries was demonstrated.
MAJOR PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES
20. Recruiting suitable members to the various grades of the Service is still extremely difficult, and despite propaganda and talks at schools by senior officers, suitable candidates with acceptable educational standard remain indifferent to offers of employment. At the end of the year the Service was 30% under establishment in subordinate officers.
21. The effect of being unable to recruit experienced drivers has resulted in a record number of accidents Fire Department vehicles and most regrettable of all, injuries to members of the public. New methods are being considered to overcome difficulties, but the prima facie cause, i.e. comparatively low remuneration, long hours of duty and lack of personal freedom, remains.
4
22. The effect of traffic density on time attendances to fire and am- bulance calls still exists, but a long term solution was approved during the year, namely, to abolish the policy of building large stations and substitute smaller ones at more frequent intervals. Standard plans for 10 storey 2-bay stations are finalized, sites made available, and within two to three years some improvement can be expected in time attendances.
23. A number of fires in 'High Blocks' during the year emphasized the need to divorce still further search and rescue procedures at fires from those of fire fighting. Many 'High Blocks' have populations exceeding those of large villages, and when buildings become smoke-logged, making stairways impassable, then well trained men under skilled leadership provide the only prospect of containing fatalities to the minimum.
24. The ever increasing population has resulted in the over-crowding of cating houses and restaurants in central arcas, and unacceptable life hazards have been created. Staff of the Fire Prevention Bureau will continue to co-operate with the Government Departments concerned in reducing hazards wherever practicable. The more satisfactory solution. however, lies in more restaurants, and managements taking as much personal interest in the safety of their patrons and employees, as they do working profits.
COMMUNICATIONS
25. The development plan for modernizing radio communications in the Fire Service was, with a few minor exceptions, completed during the year, the whole system proving thoroughly satisfactory.
26. During the year the Postmaster General advised that the old single frequency V.H.F. equipment used in the Ambulance Service has now reached the end of its useful life, and as the availability of this means of communication has proved invaluable in redeploying ambulances, a new system must be acquired.
27. V.H.F. equipment proved particularly valuable during the fire season in speeding up communications between salt water supplies and fires, reducing (and, in many instances, making unnecessary) the use of fresh water.
ESTABLISHMENT AND STAFF CHANGES
28. The Department headed by a Director and Deputy Director is sub-divided into 4 substantially independent Commands; 3 Headquarters Groups; and a number of Operational and Specialist Divisions and
5
Sub-divisions. For further details, see Appendix I. Approved establish- ment at the beginning of the year was 1,924, an increase of 315, the greater percentage of which was accounted for by the additional establish- ment approved to reduce the working hours from 84 to 72 per week, in accordance with the recommendations in the 1960-61 Fire Service Development Plan. One notable change in the senior staff was that of Mr. V. C. SEYMOUR who retired in February 1964 after completing 24 years service.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
29. The following members of the Service were honoured by Her Majesty the Queen:
George Medal
District Fire Officer E. L. HANLON, O.St.J.
Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry
Divisional Officer B. G. FENDER
Divisional Officer J. H. D. BELL
Fireman Class I CHEUNG Tin
Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Senior Fireman CHOI Yuk-shu
FINANCE
30. Expenditure on the Fire Service was $13.9 m. and on the Ambulance Service $1.4 m. Based on a population of 3.4 million, the estimated cost per capita to provide Fire and Ambulance Services was $4.5, an increase of 65 cts. per capita over the previous year. Income for the year, mostly from the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Ambulance Service, was $234,000.
BUILDINGS AND ACCOMMODATION
31. The second and what is to be the last block of rank and file quarters was completed and opened in November 1963, resulting in an uplift in morale of junior staff who appreciate the benefits of modern accommoda- tion at lower rents than that they would have to pay for private accom- modation. In future all rank and file quarters to be built will be incor- porated above fire stations and ambulance depots, thus providing for economic site development and the saving of additional sites which would otherwise be required for separate blocks. Approved planning
6
provides for 75% of the rank and file to be accommodated in depart- mental quarters by 1970. At the present time the percentage accommodated is a little under 13%. Other progress during the year was limited to con- tinuing work by the architects on design for additional 2-bay stations as recommended in the Development Report, and buildings to replace the following temporary accommodation:
Fire Services Headquarters
District Headquarters, Kowloon
District Headquarters, Hong Kong
District Headquarters,
New Territories
Fire Service Workshops and Stores
Officers Training School
Fire Control (Hong Kong)
Ambulance Control (Hong Kong)
Harcourt Road Fire Station
...
...
...
Howe Block,
Ex H.M.S. Tamar, Queen's Road East, Hong Kong.
Ex Naval Camber, Canton Road, Kowloon.
Ex Naval Quarters, Harcourt Road, Hong Kong.
Chartered Bank Building,
Tsuen Wan.
Ex Naval Stores,
Hong Kong.
Ex Naval Nissen Huts, Harcourt Road,
Hong Kong.
Ex Naval Nissen Huts,
Harcourt Road,
Hong Kong.
Ex Naval Nissen Huts, Harcourt Road,
Hong Kong.
Ex Naval Nissen Huts, Harcourt Road,
Hong Kong.
TRAINING (INTERNAL)
32. The standard of technical knowledge required in the Service continues to increase, and the lack of it is still most noticeable at fire fighting operations. With the extent and increasing complexity of admin- istering the needs of a modern Fire Service, even Senior Commanders tend at times to overlook and under-assess the vital role in life and fire damage which members of the uncomplaining Rank and File play. In the Hong Kong Fire Service the ordinary fireman is superbly courageous, and generally uncomplaining, but not enough is being done to train him to achieve the status of a specialized technician which in our densely populated modern city he undoubtedly needs to be.
7
33. The Central Training School at Sek Kong when completed will provide the medium to correct existing deficiencies, but some years will pass before the Service, the business community and the public generally will reap any benefits.
34. Fires in factories and other buildings used for such purposes continued to increase, and the wide variety of materials used, many of which are incompatible with the use of water for extinguishing purposes, has shown up on too many occasions the lack of technical knowledge of members of the rank and file.
35. Good leadership has so far prevented a major loss of life amongst Fire Service personnel whilst fighting fires, whereas these events make periodic and depressingly prominent headlines in the press elsewhere. The enormous and unending variety of materials used in modern industry makes it essential in the avoidance of life losses that all ranks should be recalled to a training school for a month every 18 at least for refresher technical training. With the availability of a temporary Officers Training School there have been improvements in the standard of training for junior officers, the effect of which is becoming noticeable at operations, and Station management.
36. The development and maintenance of fire prevention measures continues to demand higher standards of technical knowledge to ensure the provision and maintenance of effective measures for safety of the occupants in buildings yet to be built, and the sensible application of statutory powers in respect of unacceptable risks in existing buildings. Examples of the latter have appeared when powers granted early in 1964 to Abate Hazards have involved officers in long and protracted negotia- tions with owners, architects and engineers due to the very considerable sums of money which are involved.
TRAINING (EXTERNAL)
37. Officers from various units of the Service have given training in a variety of Fire Service subjects to students of the Faculty of Architec- ture; Senior Staff Course and Inspectors Advanced Courses of the Police Force; staff of Oil Storage and Distribution Companies; Hotel Staff; Government Workshops staff; Schools, Police Traffic personnel; Boy Scouts Association members; Kaifongs; Lions Club; and to members of the public on street corners through the medium of public address equipment.
8
DO
EXAMINATIONS GENERALLY
INSTITUTION OF FIRE ENGINEERS EXAMINATIONS
38. 51 officers sat the annual examination at the Hong Kong Centre of the Institution of Fire Engineers, 3 being successful in the Associates Membership section and 2 in the Graduates. Whilst admittedly a dis- appointingly low percentage, the results augur well for the future. Member- ship of the Hong Kong Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers now stands at:
5 Members
14 Associate Members 24 Graduate Members
1 Licentiate Member 35 Students
In the relatively short space of 4 years we have become one of the largest branches in the Commonwealth.
SENIOR PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS
39. There were no successful candidates at the Senior Professional Examination, and one of the prima facie causes was undoubtedly due to the lack of time for study during the preceding fire season. In future the examination calendar will be changed to set this important examination for August/September.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS EXAMINATIONS
40. 53 officers sat and 26 qualified in Stages I and III Examinations, and generally papers submitted were below standard. As the technical level of questions must continue to be raised to a point commensurate with the knowledge required to cope with problems in Hong Kong, candidates will, in the absence of more suitable facilities for supervised training, have to intensify home studies.
FIRST AID EXAMINATIONS
41. All Fire Service personnel were re-examined in First Aid and, where appropriate, Home Nursing.
OPERATIONS GENERALLY
42. The Fire and Ambulance Services responded during the year to 63,045 calls at which 132 members of the public died, 724 were injured
9
(including 102 members of the Fire Service) and 585 were rescued from dangerous situations. Direct financial losses were at $4.7 m., $1.7 m., less than the previous year. Types of services provided were as follows:
Fires
Aircraft
Buildings: (a) Domestic premises
(b) Non-domestic premises
Chimneys
•
Electrical
Vegetation
Motor Transport
Ships
Miscellaneous small fires...
Squatter areas
...
+
..
1
294
277
82
408
+
531
104
...
24
621
...
44
85
80
+
False alarms: (a) with good intent
Special Services
(b) malicious
Landslides, house collapse, drowning, etc.
Ambulance Calls
(a) Emergencies
(b) Ordinary removals to and from hospitals and clinics
CAUSES OF FIRES
431
24,023
36,040
43. The classification of supposed causes is set out in Appendix II. There has been little significant change compared with the previous year, and statistics continue to support statements made to the public by the Department so frequently during the year, namely, that 'careless- ness is the cause of fires'.
44. Whilst above average levels of high humidity which prevailed during the traditional fire season contributed greatly to the reduction in the number of fires, the factor which has been primarily responsible for a reduction in financial losses was the change in tactical policy adopted for 1st attendances duc to the restriction in availability of fresh water. This policy carried with it considerable risks because to achieve it, resources left available for simultaneous calls were negligible. On the other hand, in the special circumstances prevailing, the Service could expect little sympathy from Government and public alike if a conflagration developed due to inadequacies of first attendance on the premise that another fire might break out simultaneously elsewhere. The important fact is that revised tactics paid dividends, not the least being some $1.7 m. to Insurance Companies and members of the public in general. I would not, however, from choice wish to repeat these tactics.
10
FIRES AND SPECIAL SERVICES OF PARTICULAR
INTEREST
45. Fire calls in Hong Kong are classified as follows:
1st alarms
2nd alarms (where Dangerous Goods are known to be stored)
3rd alarms
4th alarms
•
...
(and/or persons unaccounted for)
5th alarms
Disaster alarms
...
...
0-5 jets
5 - 10 jets 11 - 25 jets
26-50 jets
All resources
46. Each category of alarm is answered by a pre-determined attendance of appliances and manpower which, as stated in the preceding paragraph, was specially increased during the 1963-64 period of water shortage.
47. Summary of alarms for the year was as follows:
1st alarms
2nd alarms
3rd alarms
A
•
•
2,428
3
50
5
...
1
4th alarms
5th alarms
...
Disaster alarms
Special services
...
•
...
、
...
Nil
432
(N.B. Apart from 1 Emergency Tender and 2 ambulances, total response to Special Service Calls is determined by Mobilizing Officers in the light of informa- tion supplied by the caller, or the Officer Commanding at the incident).
+
Pottinger Street, Hong Kong
FIRES
48. If one needed evidence that it is the contents of a building which provide a fire problem, the fire which broke out just before dawn on 14th September, 1963 on the 5th floor of an R.C.C. building provided an illustration. A defective electric exhaust fan caused a fire amongst stationery. The building became rapidly smoke logged, and personnel who arrived on the 1st Attendance could only gain access to the floor of origin by the use of breathing apparatus. Fire damage was confined to the 5th floor, but water damage on lower floors was extremely heavy, as evidenced by a loss of $400,000 in the fire which was brought under control in less than one hour.
11
Jaffe Road, Hong Kong
49. A disturbing fire situation developed a little before midnight on 13th October, 1963 in two 5 storey R.C.C. buildings in the congested area of Wan Chai. The fire started in the ground floor of one of the build- ings which was being used for retreading tyres. It spread rapidly to the upper floors and thence across balconies to the next building. The road was blocked with parked cars and lorries and the water mains were empty. Fortunately on this occasion the harbour was a short distance away, and a salt water relay was put into operation by the 'Dual 1st At- tendance' which enabled the fire to be brought under control in just over an hour. Six occupants of the flats on the upper floors of the buildings involved were rescued by Fire Service personnel. The absence of the breakdown and emergency towing units on order was greatly missed at this incident where only one appliance, namely, a Water Tower, could negotiate the fire area. Had this not been so, several blocks would have rapidly become involved,
Tai Nam Street, near Castle Peak Road, Kowloon
50. One of the most expensive fires of the year broke out in a late afternoon on 25th October on the top floor of a 6 storey R.C.C. building being used for the manufacture of clothing. The fire was caused by an overturned candle left behind igniting nearby clothing. It was brought under control within 45 minutes but not before some $530,000 of damage had taken place, the majority by heat, and water on the lower floors. Total value at risk was three times the loss.
Mo Fan Road, Ngau Tau Kok
51.
A range of one and two storey buildings of stone and wooden structures were destroyed at a fire which broke out at 5 p.m. on 21st October, 1963, causing damage amounting to $230,000. The property at risk which included a variety of industrial products was valued at a little under $1 m. Two persons were injured and detained in hospital.
646 Castle Peak Road, 5th floor, Kowloon
52. Another example of fires in industry occurred during mid morning on 4th December, 1963 at Castle Peak Road on the 5th floor of an R.C.C. building when dust from polyester ornaments in a polishing room was ignited by an electrical fault in a wandering lead. Although the fire was brought under control by the use of salt water within 40 minutes, damage
12
involved the loss of $66,000, and four people were very badly burnt. Property at risk exceeded $1 m.
Ship Fire-s.s. 'New Teh Hu'
53. Extremely difficult and prolonged fire fighting operations were involved when on the 7th December a fire broke out on a 31⁄2 thousand tons cargo vessel sailing under the Panamanian flag. The fire started in the boiler room and spread to adjacent holds. Installations in the boiler room were very old and badly maintained. At one period during the 36 hours operations it appeared that we were going to lose the vessel. The boilers and adjacent installations were so hot as to make impracticable the use of a wetting agent other than in minute quantities. At one stage it was necessary to order all personnel out of the engine room as a danger or explosion appeared imminent. The ship's crew and the majority of fire fighting personnel were transferred in a fire boat to safety whilst a small crew of Fire Service officers commenced the unpredictable operation of cooling down the engine room. The assistance of officers of the Marine Department at this fire was invaluable. Operations were ultimately successful and the ship saved.
Cadogan Street, Ground Floor, Hong Kong
54. An example of the dangers of plastic products was highlighted in the fire which broke out just after midnight on 19th December on the ground floor of an R.C.C. building at the above address. The fire was believed to have been caused by a naked light which thrown in an alley way ignited plastic materials stored there. The fire developed rapidly and spread into the ground floor of an adjacent building causing damage estimated at $70,000, trapping 13 people on the upper floors, who had to be rescued by Fire Service personnel.
Ho Pui Village, 81⁄2 M.S. Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan
55. One of the few fires involving fatalities broke out in a range of one and two storey brick and wooden structures at Ho Pui Village, New Territories in the afternoon of 21st December, 1963. The fire spread very rapidly under the influence of a strong 10 knot wind, and four children ranging from three months to five years old were trapped and killed by this fire. One fireman was severely injured. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained due to the severity of the damage, but all evidence pointed to either a kerosene stove or an oil lamp being knocked over by one of the children. It would appear that the fire started on a
13
table situated near the one and only door leading into the property, as two of the children were found underneath the bed. indicating that the fire occurred between them and the doorway.
Luen Wo New Village, Fanling, New Territories
56. On 27th December, 1963 at 9 a.m., falling hot embers from an unattended chatty stove on to split bamboo and rubbish kept on the floor of the kitchen caused a fire which spread rapidly to 10 other buildings causing damage estimated at $200,000. The building was used for minor industries including plastics, the latter accounting for the high degree of destruction. Three persons were burnt in this fire.
60, Tsun Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
57. A somewhat expensive fire broke out in the second floor of an R.C.C. building just after 8 o'clock at night on 24th February, 1964 at Tsun Yip Street, Kowloon. The building was used for the manufacture of furniture and contained a considerable amount of woodwork machinery. The cause of the fire was determined as being the discarding of lighted smoking materials on to wood shavings. On arrival the ground floor was well alight and the water mains were empty, necessitating an extensive relay from the scafront. The financial loss ran into $300,000.
Kimberley Road, Kowloon
58. Six persons were rescued by Fire Service personnel from the upper floors of an R.C.C. tenement building with a single staircase, when a fire broke out on 13th February, 1964 in a tailor shop below. The fire was brought under control in 15 minutes.
SPECIAL SERVICES
59. A terminology used in the Fire Service to denote an incident not involving fire. As will be seen from Appendix III, the list of causes is almost endless. During the year under review, Fire Service personnel 'rescued' 488 members of the public at Special Services.
Ma Tau Wei, Kowloon
60. During the morning of 25th June, 1963, a workman climbed on to the top of a cement hopper to free a blockage without securing himself with harness or lines. As the loose stones collapsed under him, he was carried into the base of the hopper under some 300 tons of falling
14
crushed stones. Excavation from above proved too difficult and dangerous, and it became necessary for a considerable part of the machinery below the hopper to be cut away with oxy-acetylene equipment before the body could be recovered some two hours after the accident occurred.
Kweilin Street, Kowloon
61. Late in the evening on the 27th June, 1963 a call was received to a house collapse at No. 20 Kweilin Street, Kowloon. On arrival the O/C found that the balconies of a 3-storey tenement building had collapsed trapping 11 persons in the debris and killing 3 others. The 11 persons rescued by Fire Service personnel were removed to hospital for treatment.
Queen Victoria Street, Hong Kong
62. The most dramatic event of the year arose when the collapse of an old 5 storey tenement building in Queen Victoria Street, Hong Kong on the morning of 25th October, 1963 buried some 25 people in the debris who were rescued by Fire Service personnel. Operations in respect of two rescues, namely, two young boys lasted for nearly 2 hours. For the whole of this time, a small crew of officers and men toiled under the constant threat of sliding debris; the collapse of a nearby building which had been condemned as unsafe and the presence of explosive gases, the source of which could not be found. This operation was an excep- tional example of technical skill and devotion to duty. It was arising from this exceptional incident that Her Majesty the Queen awarded Mr. E. L. HANLON, District Fire Officer the George Medal and his col- leagues the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry and Award for Brave Conduct.
67, Hill Road, Hong Kong,-10th November, 1963
63. This call was received at 14.53 hours and on arrival, the Officer Commanding found a Chinese male with his finger trapped in a water pipe underneath a toilet. It was not ascertained how he got himself into such a predicament, but after release he was sent to hospital complete with a portion of the pipe attached to his finger!
New Praya, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
64. Appalling damage and injuries occurred at 12.30 p.m. on 24th November, 1963 when a box of toy caps were dropped on the ground when unloading a lorry. 68 persons were removed to hospital by Fire Service ambulances. 2 persons were 'blasted' to pieces, and 3 more blown into the sea and had to be rescued by Fire Service personnel.
15
Government Dangerous Goods Stores, Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong
65. At 12.30 hours on the 18th December, 1963 a call was received by the Fire Services to the leakage at the Government Dangerous Goods Stores, North Point.
66. On entering the Store, the Officer Commanding found that the concentration of acetic anhydride vapour was of lethal proportions, having leaked from three 20 gallon drums. Additionally, the vapour had affected some 500 drums of kerosene and other dangerous goods, all of which had to be removed to open air. As the use of breathing apparatus and protective clothing was essential, the work involved had to be performed by Fire Service personnel in relays, and it occupied a team of some 14 men nearly 3 hours. The store was subsequently flooded with salt water and declared gas free 27 hours later.
SKIN DIVING SERVICE
67. During the year Fire Service divers were called out on 39 occasions, and there is little doubt that we must come to regard this 'part-time service' as one of a specialist nature and develop it accordingly.
WELFARE
68. With a force exceeding 2,000, the majority of which are in the lower salary scales with relatives of many still residing away from the Colony, it is inevitable that domestic problems rate high on the list in welfare matters to be dealt with by Unit Commanders.
69. Generally speakings, 'Commanders' have been able to meet the varying demands made upon them, and the number of cases reaching Director level has been under 100.
WELFARE FUND
70. The Fund is in an improved position financially compared with the previous year. This has been very largely due to the fact that expendi- ture on outside activities for the men and their families has been restricted during 1963 due to the need to keep off duty personnel readily available on call to cope with additional problems likely to arise from the water crisis. A certified statement of accounts for the Fund appears in Appendix IX.
16
Sing Tao Daily News.
Special Service-collapse of tenement buildings, Victoria Street, Hong Kong.
24 persons rescued and 1 killed.
Sing Tao Daily News.
Toy Caps achieved this destruction killing 7 members of the public and injuring 63 more.
Sing Tao Daily News.
Special Service-Kweilin Street, Kowloon. 11 persons rescued and 3 killed.
Sing Tao Daily News.
A typical example of a first alarm fire in a conventional tenement building situated in a narrow
street of Hong Kong.
:5
--
X
2
3
X
.2 x
*
X
ذر
2
::
ایمر
::.
..
2.
Squatter fire, Old Kowloon.
To avoid interruption of traffic and to reduce expenditure on road crossings Fire Service personnel floated polythene piping into a number of nullahs during 1963 water crisis.
TRANSPORT, WORKSHOPS AND STORES
71. This Division is responsible for:
(a) the maintenance and repair of all fire fighting appliances;
(b) the purchase of all appliances, fire fighting equipment, uniform
and general repairs to same;
(c) the ordering, repair and maintenance of new fire fighting equipment for the Service generally and for Government buildings in partic- ular;
(d) the supply of fuel to appliances and ambulances generally and
any fire fighting operations in particular;
(e) conducting tests for drivers and pump operators, and the issue of
licences to drive Fire Service appliances.
72. During the year the Division tested and put into service the following items:
1 Extra Heavy Pump
1 Major Self Propelled Pump
3 Turntable Ladders
1 Light Self Propelled Appliance (Land Rover)
4 Portable Pumps
14 Ambulances
2 Command Cars
6 Motor Scooters for Fire Prevention Bureau
1 General Purpose Lorry
1 Turncock Van
7 Miles of Hose
CONVERSION OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT TO B.S.S.
73. The work of converting some 12,000 items from non-standard Round Thread equipment to British Standard Specification, funds for which were first provided in the 1963-64 Estimates, was completed by the Workshops staff during the year.
74. Conversion has simplified indenting and stores procedure generally; training and immeasurably increased efficiency at fire fighting operations.
WATER CRISIS
75. The water crisis brought additional work to F.S. Workshops, and during the months of July and August, the staff cheerfully and efficiently worked 12 to 15 hours a day. Welders and fitters prefabricated
17
storage tanks from scrap ships plates. Mechanics and fitters and body repairers became almost permanently engaged in stripping and rebuilding equipment damaged and corroded by constant use of salt water. By the temporary posting of a limited number of additional artisans from fire fighting duties during weekends, priority appliance maintenance and repair requirement were maintained. The overall effect, however, of the water crisis on Fire Service Workshops will be felt far on unto 1965.
ACCIDENTS TO FIRE SERVICE VEHICLES
76. Reference has been made elsewhere in the Report to the increasing number of accidents caused by, or in which, Fire Service vehicles have been involved.
77. The extent of the additional work placed on Fire Service Work- shops personnel can be gauged by the fact that due to accidents, the following types of appliances were in aggregate out of commission during the year:
9,300 hours-Fire Appliances
4,370 hours-Ambulance
2,940 hours-Other Vehicles.
78. Remedial measures are being taken which will involve appoint- ments being dependent on 'hours of driving' experience and not the length of time a driving licence has been held. Statistics maintained show that drivers with 3,000 or more 'driving hours' have accident free records, whereas drivers under this total average have 4 accidents a year.
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
79. The objectives of the Bureau are to determine and intelligently anticipate the causes of fire and loss of life thereby, and apply the knowl- edge gained to prevent a re-occurrence. In Hong Kong, density of popula- tion on the one hand, coupled with the part occupation of one building in three for minor industry and the almost universal use of inflammable liquids for cooking and heating on the other, provide life and fire hazards seldom equalled.
80. In applying fire preventive measures the Bureau must for economic and other equally cogent reasons tolerate or, at the best, attempt to mitigate the effect of risks which at first sight should be prohibited.
18
Decisions to abate hazards must be based more on statistical evidence of need in the public interest generally than on professional judgment alone.
81. In the economic sense, damage by fire has had practically no effect on the gross national product. There are a variety of reasons for this enviable state of affairs, the chief ones however, are that (a) the majority of buildings and plant used exclusively for production purposes are relatively new, and (b) a considerable percentage of production (in aggregate) is still spread over thousands upon thousands of small work- shops. Whilst the latter category of industry remains responsible for the majority of serious fires and loss of life, losses in production are negligible. So far as the planned factories are concerned, as these become older, and equipment and installations installed therein decrease in efficiency, one can expect major fires in industry to develop as indeed they have in other industrial countries, unless there is increasing vigilance on the part of managements and Government agencies generally and the Fire Service in particular.
INVESTIGATION OF FIRES
82. The Bureau (together with selected officers from operational units) is responsible for the investigations of all fires. Contrary to common belief, this is not necessarily the duty of the Police Force unless a felony is believed to have been committed. Standards of investigation into fires and other occurrences are such that it is now rare for the cause or most probable cause not to be determined. The total amount of time spent on investigations of fires during the year under review amounted to 5,600 hours.
83. The alertness of officers of the Burcau carrying out routine inspec- tions during the year resulted on no fewer than four occasions in the detection (and abolition) of hazards which would in time have resulted in fires and loss of life of considerable magnitude.
PUBLICITY
84. The Department owes much to the assistance and advice of the Director of Information Services and his staff. Experience over the last few years clearly indicates that there are two definitive areas of publicity, one which follows the conventional pattern, namely, by the medium of the press, radio, posters and brochures, and the second, direct contact
19
by Fire Officers with the public in the streets and workers in factories. Especially useful work was performed during the year using mobile public address systems and tape recordings on Fire Prevention in Cantonese at street corners in areas where outbreaks of fire are most frequent.
FACTORIES AND COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS
85. Increasing attention has been paid to fire prevention in industry. The primary medium has been the preparation and issue of leaflets in Cantonese and English explaining how hazards are created in various production processes and how they can be contained. The issue of leaflets have been followed up by talks to workers by officers of the Bureau.
PUBLIC DISPLAYS
86. Some useful propaganda has been achieved through the good offices of the Government Information Services and the Kaifongs in staging Fire Prevention Displays emphasizing the dangers of fire and varying methods of protection and self help.
LEGISLATION
87. Three extremely important pieces of legislation became effective during the year, and they were as follows.
Dangerous Goods
88. Legislation has been completely revised bringing it into line with international practice and embracing materials not previously covered.
Abatement of Fire Hazards
89. A new section was added to Fire Services Ordinance giving the Director of Fire Services authority to declare by Notice the existence of a fire hazard and to take action to abate it.
90. The principal objective of this law is the preservation of life from fire in premises which do not come under the control of specific legislation.
Building (Fire Service Installations)
91. An addition was made to the Buildings Ordinance providing powers to the Director of Fire Services to specify minimum internal fire protection measures required in 'High Blocks' and certain other buildings scheduled for construction, and for the publishing of a Code
20
of Practice setting out what the Director's requirements are likely to be in any given circumstances. Legislation of this nature was required to ensure that so far as is practicable the taxpayer is not forced by the default of 'developers' to carry in full the financial burden of fire defence in private properties which by virtue of their size and complexity in design provide unacceptable life and fire hazards.
92.
Whilst 'High Blocks' are for all practical purposes 'small town- ships' there are no sound arguments in favour of non-residents being required to contribute to the costs of internal protection.
HONG KONG STANDARDS
93. The building trade is cosmopolitan in the sense that a percentage of Architects and Engineers cither originate from countries other than Britain, or have obtained the professional qualifications from 'foreign' countries. This factor at times provides a measure of doubt as to what standards apply to certain technical matters, e.g. an American trained architect is more familiar with U.S. standards; a British architect to British, and a Japanese to yet another standard. To assist professions the Department is gradually establishing in leaflet form codes of 'Hong Kong Fire Prevention Standards' covering a wide variety of subjects. In general, codes specify British Standard Specifications but advantage is taken of adopting or devising standards best suited to Hong Kong.
94. When completed, standards will be made available on sale in bound volumes and will simplify greatly the work of private developers and their professional advisers.
NEW PLANS
95. The New Plans Division of the Bureau processed a total of 1,411 plans during the year, representing an increase of approximately 25% over the previous year. This figure is expected to rise in the ensuing year by virtue of new legislation which makes it mandatory for all new plans to be endorsed by the Director of Fire Services before permission to occupy the premises is given by the Buildings Ordinance Office.
ROUTINE LICENSING AND INSPECTION
96. The Special Hazards Division of the Bureau has carried out during the year more than 16,000 inspections, representing some 40,000 hours of field work and some 5,000 hours in the compilation of reports and taking subsequent administrative action. Activities of this nature
21
are very important to the general public and probably contribute more in the short term to the preservation of life and reduction of fire hazards than any other single activity of the Bureau.
GENERAL OBSERVATION
97. At one time it was considered that physical fitness was not impor- tant for Fire Prevention officers and, indeed, this is still very largely true in a number of communities. In Hong Kong however, with thousands of 'High Blocks' and even with the availability of lifts, we have learned that the need for physical fitness is not confined to the operational side of the Service.
STAFF ASSOCIATIONS
HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF'S GENERAL
ASSOCIATION
98. Relationships with the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Staff's General Association have been cordial and generally satisfactory. The Executive Committee of the Association have met with the Director and his advisers on nine occasions dealing with a variety of subjects, the principal ones being representations on salaries; status and rank of the Fire Boat crews; subsistence allowances; prosecution and fines involving Fire Service drivers; for the rank and file; catering procedure on fire stations and hours of duty.
AMBULANCE DRESSERS' UNION
99. Relation with the Ambulance Dressers' Union still requires improvement, but little can be achieved until this Union decides to adopt the policy of seeking interviews, which has proved so successful with the Staff's General Association.
CHINESE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION
100. The one outstanding request of the Chinese Officers' Association, namely, the reduction in the hours of duty, has been implemented during the year.
EXPATRIATE FIRE OFFICERS
101. Interviews have been granted to selected representatives during the year to discuss specific problems such as salaries in general; quarters;
22
and the principle of United Kingdom service being counted towards pensionable service in Hong Kong.
APPRECIATION
102. No Annual Report of the Fire Department in Hong Kong would be complete without expressing appreciation to a number of other organi- zations without whose assistance the tasks facing the Service would have been more difficult, firstly, the Hong Kong Police Force and, in particular, members of the Traffic Branch and policemen on the beat in assisting the passage of fire appliances and ambulances to incidents. With the increasing traffic density in Hong Kong, particularly during the peak periods, this assistance is often vital to the saving of lives.
103. The Public Works Department in general, and the Buildings Ordinance Office and the Water Authority in particular, have been unstinting in their support at operations involving collapsed buildings and in the administration of Fire Prevention Legislation.
104. The success of our public relations and Fire Prevention prop- aganda is due almost entirely to the constant help and advice received from the Director of Information Services, his staff and Kaifongs. Informa- tion Service photographers have been especially helpful to us in recording evidence for fire investigations.
105. Finally, my thanks are due to the Civil Aid and Auxiliary Medical Services for prompt assistance when we were hard put to find additional man-power. Especially valuable has been the voluntary work of members of C.A.S. at squatter fires and incidents involving the collapse of tenement buildings.
1st October, 1964.
23
R. G. Cox, Director of Fire Services.
HONG KONG ISLAND
&
MARINE
DISTRICT COMMANDER
DIY. OFFICEA
ASST. DIY. OFF.
CBN. STAFF
F. PREVENTION
STAFF
DISTRICT COMMANDS
KOWLOON AND
NRW KOWLOON
DISTRICT COMMANDER
DIV. OFFICER ASST. DIY. OFF.
CEN. STAFF
P. PRKVENTION STAFF
APPENDIX I
FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICE ORGANIZATION (1963-64)
5th
5,5
DIRECTOR
Т
DEP. DIRECTOR
NEW TERRITORIRA
DISTRICT COMMANDER
PRISONAL MIST.
PERSONAL AJST.
ABST, DIV, DVF.
AANT. DIY, OFF.
5,4
GEN. STAFF
F. PREVENTION STAFF
FIRE PREVENTION BURGAD
COMMANDING Orvicea
PLANNING & TRAINING
LOGISTIC & TECH.
DIE, OFFICEX
SEN. DIY, OFFICER
EX. OFF.
F. P. RAC.
ASST. DIV. OFFICER
A. DIVISION
C. & W. DIVISION
E. DIVISION
L. DIVISION
K. C. DIVISION
K. W. DIVISION
W. DIVISIOIN
B. DIVISION
NEW PLANS DIV.
DIV. OFF
SPECIAL HAZARDS
DIV.
DY. OFF.
SAHINK
ASST. DIY, OFFICER
JUN, DIY. OFFICRA
DIV, OFFICKE
SEN. DIV. OFFICER
DIV. OFFICER
ASST. DIV. OFFICER
DIY, OFFICER
DAY. OFFICER
·CITEONG CHAU
CENTRAL (W)
ABERDKEN 2, 3.
EASTERN TA
MONG KOK 1.5
ĐỊA THU CHƯƠNG
F. J.
. H.
5. Q
TSUKN WAN
SA KONG F. S.
F. 5.
SMBUNG SHUT P. 5
VIRE SERVICK
TAI O F. S.
REPULSE BAY
NORTH POINT
LAI CHI KOK
KOWLOON TONG į
RENNIC'S HILL
WESTERN F. 9.
F. 5.
YUEN LONG
F. 8.
F. &
P. 3.
NHA TAU KOB
F. 5
PANG CHLU
1. K
STANLEY F. 8.
HENNKSY RD,
SWAU
KEWAN
f. S.
CANTON RD.
x. 5.
XTEN TONG
4HUNG HOM F. 5. 1
F. 5.
SAN MUI 9.4.
TAI PO F. 5
Y. B. A. G.
SHET O P. X
PRAK F. J.
SAI WAN HO
AIWAN
CHRUNG SHA WAN
1.8.
NAIRN RD, P. B. L
WONG TAI SIN
SHEK KON
F. S.
r
SUA TIN E. S.
7. B. No. 1
MT. DAVIS FS
KOTEWALL ED.
CAUSEWAY BAY
YAU MA TEI
AMB. DEP. ¿
AGAU CRI WAN
F.
F. 5.
7. 5.
FB. No, S
AMB. DEPOT 2
B.
F. B.
No. 4
F. A
P. J.
SEN, DIY, OFFICER
EXISTING STATIONS
DIY. OFF.
ASSY, DIY, OFF.
3. 0.
FUTURE, STATIONS
A. $ 0.
AMS. DEPOT
AMB. DEP. I
L
FIRE BOAT
FIRE STATION
SENIOR DIVISIONAL DIFICAR
DIVISIONAL OFFICER
ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER
STATION OFITCER
ASSISTANT KTATION OFFICER
KWM CRUNG
FANLING J. 5.
F. 5. (1)
KAU WA P. S.
ROMĚ AMB, DEPOT N.T.
INSTALLATIONS
DRAUGHTSMEN
TRAINING
DIY, OFF
JASST. DIY. OFF.
EQUIPMENT OFFICER
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WORKSHOPS
STORES
A. D. 0.
STORE OFFICIA
TRAINING SCH.
ASST, DIY. OVE,
AUXILIARIES
ASST. DIY. OFF.
PROSECUTIONS & FIRE LAZARO ABATEMENT ORDERS
2 0.
DANGEROUS
GOODS AND LICENSING
DIY, OFYREK
PHY, TRAINING
OFFICER
A. S. O
FIRE EQUIPMENT COVT. PREMBES
8 th
PROPAGANDA &
F. P. EDUCATION
WATER SUPPLIES
A. 1.0.
TECHNICAL ANSESTAFF
$ 4.
ADMINISTRATION FIRE SENVECE AUXILJARIEX
SECRETARY
56
ESTABLISHMENT|
FINAME
PHOMOTIONS
BOARD
WELFARK FIND
JHONG KONG
MAINLAND
HONGKONG | MAINLAND
N, T. &
MOBILE
RECEDITINGS
GEN, REGISTRY
PERSONNEL. REGISTRY
COMMUNICATIONS
TYPING POOL
TYPING POI.
뾿 없이
FICK
FURCARUMENTAL OPARTETIN & PIRK
LORE SFATUIN
BXAMINATION BOARDS
APPENDIX II
CAUSES OF FIRES: INCLUDING DEATHS AND INJURIES AT FIRE
No. of incidents
No. of deaths and
injuries
Careless handling or disposal of lighted matches, cigarettes,
hot ashes and candles, etc.
748
37
***
Careless handling or disposal of joss-sticks, joss-candles, fire-
crackers, joss-papers, mosquito coils, etc.
115
17
Hot cinders, sparks and burning soot from foul chimneys and
flues falling on inflammable materials
Over-turned kerosene stoves and oil lamps
Unattended cooking stoves, heaters, irons
***
Misuse of dangerous goods
Children playing with matches
Electrical faults generally
Sparks from defective motors
...
...
Over-heating of engines, motors and machinery
Boiling-over of oils, tar, wax, etc.
Burst gas mains or pipes
***
Sparks from welding equipment
Defective cooking stoves
Uncontrolled burning of rubbish...
Spontaneous combustion...
Suspected arson
Unknown
False alarms
...
-
:
:
Total
26
98
4
126
30
66
13
23
8
157
13
...
441
31
40
3
+
26
1
13
4
1
18
6
33
3
15
2
10
1
1
377
52
++
176
2,487
222
APPENDIX III
ANALYSIS OF SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1.4.63 TO 31.3.64
1. Traffic Accidents
2.
House Collapse
...
3. Flooding of domestic premises
4. Trapped in lifts
5. Hangings (Suicide)
...
6. Falling from high buildings...
7. Locked in/out of premises
நல்*
8. Falling into harbour/nullah/well
9. Explosions
10. Landslides
11. Animal rescues
12. Trapped by machinery
13. Trapped by debris
14. Drowning
15.
Electric shock
16. Blasting operations
17. Air-craft
...
...
No. of incidents
No. of deaths and
injuries
92
274
20
31
17
[
61
22
•
12
12
30
28
:
16
3
47
54
:
8
72
15
25
...
9
:
14
13
14
17
..
26
29
3
4
...
1
3
3
6
:
8
2
2
:
3
7
•
4
3
***
•
27
19
432
624
18. Threatening to jump from high buildings...
19. Leakage of inflammable liquids
20. Overcome by gas
21. Dangerous goods storage
...
...
+
+
22.
Miscellaneous
Total
27
28
Location
APPENDIX IV
DISTRIBUTION OF STAFF AT 31ST MARCH, 1964
District Fire Officer
Senior Divisional Officer
Divisional Officer
Assistant Divisional Officer
Station Officer
Assistant Group Officer (Woman) Assistant Station Officer &
Principal Fireman
Senior Fireman
Leading Fireman
Class I Fireman
Class II Fireman
Fire Boats Personnel
Physical Training Officer
Secretary
Accountant
Clerical Service
Stores Staff
Draughtsman
Watchman, Caretaker
Labourer
Cook
Telephonist
Ambulance Supervisor
Fire Service H.Q.,
Workshops, Stores, Training School, Fire Boats and Miscellaneous
Hong Kong Island
Fire District
Whole Time Auxiliaries
Whole Time Auxiliaries
1
DN
6
નવ
7
19
4 1
23 12 5 11
2-
1
8127
71
1
2
1 1
AA
2
SH
4
17
23
23
21
။
5 18
26
52
318
32
10
9
19
216
Kowloon Fire
District
Whole Time Auxiliaries
1 1
-
--
22
4 15 23
1 19 24
223
10 10
5
26
5
8
IN
28
52 295
15
179
New Territories
Fire District
Airport Fire
Contingent
Ambulance Service
Whole Time Auxiliaries
1
4 11 14
ཝཱཝ
9 17
4
SI
16
92
40 210
2
42
Whole Time |
4
01
4
7
એ
65
Whole Time
-
17
139
H
33
1 |
Ta
6
1
ཡ།
*
2
N |
11
ลง
~ [
N
56
APPENDIX V
SUMMARY OF APPLIANCES, MAJOR EQUIPMENT, FIRE STATIONS AND OTHER PREMISES AT 31ST MARCH, 1964
Turntable Ladders
Rescue Tenders
...
Pump Escapes
...
1
4
...
...
...
...
...
Major Self Propelled Pumps
Extra Heavy Pumps
Light Self Propelled Appliances (Land Rovers)
...
Trailer Pumps Portable Pumps Emergency Tenders Foam Tenders
Hose Laying Lorries Hose Carrying Lorries. General Purpose Lorries Hydrant Vans
Radio Vans
Mobile Repair Vans
Canteen Vans
Mobile Command Units
Command Cars
Staff Cars
Motor Cycles Motor Scooters
+
-་
Outboard Motors
Flood Rescue Rafts Mobile Compressors Mobile Generators Ambulances Sitting Case Cars
Oxygen
Compressed Air... Resuscitating Sets Skin Diving Sets
4" Relay Hose 24" Delivery Hose 14" Hose...
...
...
...
者
...
444
...
...
+
...
+
...
•
...
:
Breathing Apparatus
*
Hose
Alexander Grantham
No. 3
No. 2
...
No. 1
...
J
+
Fire Boats
...
:
...
10
2
16
13
3
20
24
11
2
3
2
4
3
16
...
...
...
22
2
NNN
2
2
3
6
6
3
6
2
..
2
35
5
33
91
46
8
6 miles
64 miles
7 miles
29
351 gross tons 10,000 g.p.m.
40' launch 500 g.p.m.
94 gross tons 4,000 g.p.m.
45' high speed launch 1,000 g.p.m.
Fire Services:
APPENDIX V-Contd.
Very High Frequency Radio
Frequencies: 82.5: 48.1: 48.2: 48.3: 48.4: 48.5
Fixed Stations Repeater Stations Mobile Sets...
Walkie Talkie Sets
Ambulance Service :
Fixed Stations Repeater Stations Mobile Stations
...
...
++
+
•
---
...
...
......
++
+
...
...
...
Temporary Premises
+
Departmental Quarters:
Officers
Rank and File
Fire Stations
•
Fire Stations, Buildings and Quarters
...
...
...
...
•
+++
...
...
APPENDIX VI
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
SUMMARY OF INSPECTIONS
...
...
...
**
...
...
Buildings
+++
Cinemas and Theatres ... Dancing Halls and Academics Dangerous Goods in general Factories and Workshops
Fire Service Installations
Fireworks Storages
Garages...
•
•
•
High and Low Flash Inflammable Liquids Hotels and Boarding Houses
Kerosene stored in shops
Miscellaneous
Neon Signs.
Offensive Trade...
Petrol Pumps
***
•
Plans (New Constructions) Printing Presses...
Restaurants and Cafes... Schools
...
Timber Yards and Storages
...
..
*
• • •
:
:
:
+++
++
:
:
:
...
:
•
...
...
...
...
:
...
4
3
69
24
...
+
...
...
.
Total
...
...
30
+
2
1
20
9
222
24
24
57
485
...
241
.*.
2,028
1,267
56
11
...
18
640
2
---
...
...
1,383 5,293 538
...
6
++
179
1,411 266
767
932
974
16,554
APPENDIX VII
WORKSHOPS STATISTICS
Mileage by appliances and other vehicles
Fuel consumption by appliances and other vehicles.
Pumping time (including 1,135 hours salt water) (pumping during water
1
877,593 miles
88,193 gals.
3,700 hours
crisis)
Monthly inspections
1,272 items
Repairs and modifications (mechanical and electrical)
...
1,480 jobs
650 jobs
Body, ladder, and general joinery
Canvas items for service generally
Hose repairs and tests to
*Painting equipment
appliances (repainting)
...
...
Fire and ankle boot repairs...
96 items
1,276 lengths
500 items
+1
14 jobs
144
2,724 pairs
189 jobs
955
127
...
23
1
:.
3
...
Alterations and repairs to uniform
Drivers, pump and turntable ladder operators (including auxiliaries)
tested and licensed
Accidents to all vehicles
Staff, mechanical
...
electrical
+1
"
+9
sail-makors
painters
*
carpenters
tailor...
"
cobblers
19
:
*Fireman (Hose-repair)
Ratio of mechanics to appliances
* Reinforced by loans from stations as required.
:
:
STORES STATISTICS
Nos. of groups of items held .......
Nos. of items issued in the year
Nos. of items received in the year
31
+
:
...
...
:
4
5
1
3
1
1 -6.3
:
:.
6,040
49,33I
24,501
32
LIABILITIES
APPENDIX VIII
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WELFARE FUND
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st March, 1964
ASSETS
1962-63
1962-63
7,371.02
$109,815.60
$102,444.58 Accumulated fund as at 1.4.63
Add: Excess of Income over
Expenditure for the year 31.3.64
$109,815.60
$ 20,030.70 41,494.00
Outstanding Loans Sundry Debtors
...
***
***
... $18,329.40 20,716.75
44,974.92
448.20
6,438.90 Sundry Creditors...
...
Deposits for Firemen's Services
...
$154,790,52
8.467.33
4,568.00
Stock of Christmas Cards and Queen's F.S.
Medals at Cost
Investment at Cost
1.623.20
---
$14,596.40
Less : Accumulated
depreciation ...
3,996.40
10,400.00
Suspense Accounts
10,600.00 5.00
Cash
On Fixed Deposits
With Accountant General
$40,000.00 76,551.50
43,881.60
116,551.50
$116,254.50
$167,825.85
$116,254.50
R. G. Cox, Director of Fire Services.
$167,825.85
CERTIFICATE AND REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT
The above Balance Sheet and the accompanying Statements have been examined in accordance with Regulation 11(2) of the Fire Services Department (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 Balance Sheet and Statements are correct subject to the following observation.
2. In the Balance Sheet, the item 'Suspense Account-$5.00' appearing as an asset represents an unexplained difference on the Accounts.
AUDIT DEPARTMENT,
28th October, 1964.
W. J. D. CoOPER, Director of Audit,
33
1962-63
APPENDIX VIII-Contd.
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WELFARE FUND
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1964
EXPENDITURE
INCOME
1962-63
$26,980.00
$ 610.42
Fines
...
***
•
66,343.50
250.00
Fees for Firemen's Services
Donations
A
J
14.943.20
Interest
1,890.00
490.00
On Investments
1,846.59
On Fixed Deposits
44,974.92
$35,606.00 Recompensing members for extra services
22,643.49
Procuring for members who are serving or for former members who have been retired on pension, gratuity or other allowance, com- forts, convenience or other advantages not chargeable to public revenue
2,640.00 Bad Debts written off
་
1,280.00 Depreciation on investments
7,371.02
Balance being excess of income over
expenditure
+++
:
Appreciation on investments
:
490.00
***
1,575.00
764.00
77,644.12
8,115.00
2,065.00
200.00
$69,540.51
$88,788.12
$69,540.51
$88,788.12
APPENDIX VIII-Contd.
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WELFARE FUND
Statement of Outstanding Loans as at 31st March, 1964
1962-63
$ 6,324.00
Outstanding Loans as at 1st April, 1963
$20,030.70
27,442.00
Loans issued for period from 1st April, 1963 to
31st March, 1964
$17,036.00
Less Loans converted to grants
900.00
16,136.00
$33,766.00
$36,166.70
13,735.30
Repayment of Loans for period from 1st April, 1963 to 31st
March, 1964
17,837.30
$20,030.70 Outstanding Loans as at 31st March, 1964
$18,329.40
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WELFARE FUND
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENt as at 31st March, 1964
Stock
Nominal Value
Cost
Accumulat | Middle ed Depre- Market ciation at Price at
1.4.63 31.3.64
Net Ac-
Market Value
Appre- cumulated ciation Deprecia-
tion
II.K. Government 34%
Rehabilitation Loan 1973-78
$16,000.00 $14,596.40 $4,196.40 $66.25 | $10,600.00
$200.00 $3,996.40
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WELFARE FUND
STATEMENT OF FIXED DEPOSIT IN HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, Hong Kong
:
Deposit Receipt No. 100/432
$20,000.00
27th February, 1964
44% per annum
27th February, 1965
Deposit Receipt No. 100/433
$20,000.00
13th March, 1964
44% per annum
13th March, 1965
Amount Deposited Date Deposited
Interest Rate
Date Repayable
34
Calls per hour
300
APPENDIX IX
250
200
150
100
50
Midnight
6 A.M.
Noon
TIME OF DAY
6 P.M.
Midnight