The presence of a large number of lumber yards, particularly in the western extra-Settlement district, created a fire hazard which gave rise to considerable anxiety. These yards came into existence within a very short time, usually in close proximity to good-class residential properties, and the situation rapidly became serious, with this Department han capped' through the lack of local regulations governing their, establishment and operation. The hazard soon became so great that it nesessitated the drafting of a set of provisional regulations with a view to inducing owners to conform to certain safeguards, which included the stacking of lumber in close or solid formation, as opposed to the open drying formation, the limitation of the size and height of stacks and restrictions as to their proximity to neighbouring property. These regulations were applied with reasonable success, and it might be of interest to mention that they were the subject of favourable comment the National Fire Protection Asso-elation of America.
Complaints regarding fire hazards continued to be received in ever-growing numbers, and many of these Jed to the demolition of serious fire risks or the removal of hazardous trades to other localities where the risks could be minimized, In all, 235 complaints were received ana int vestigated, )During the year numerous small) gon Section, which was formed during the 1937 hostilities, in order to combine the Regular (Fire-fighting) Reserve with that Section.
A new Constitution and revised Regulations for the Unit were approved, and almost without exception the members of the 1937 Ambulance and Transport Section re-enrolled for service under the new scheme.
Rescue Squad.—Training of personnel in oxygen breathing apparatus and the special rescue appliances with which the Rescue Van is equipped was intensified, nine officers and 20 firemen, in addition to the regular Rescue Squad, being passed as efficient, Responding to 28 calls, an increase of nine on 1938, the Rescue Squad performed very efficient work in the handling of gas leaks and electrical accidents, the extrication of persons trapped under heavy vehicles, etc., apart from rendering very valuable service at numerous fires where smoke was so dense as to necessitate the use of oxygen breathing sets.
Large Saving Effected Salvage Section—The extraordinary congestion in buildings. due to the abnormal local conditions, particularly in the more Central districts, resulted in huge quantities of merchandise of all kinds being stored in ordinary dwellings and other premises equally unsuited for use as warehouses. In many instances, premises of this kind became involved in fires during the year and the potential risk of damage by water under the existing circumstances was enormous, At all such outbreaks the Salvage Section was quickly brought into action and, by covering-up and other salvage measures, it effected a tremendous saving, In several instances, tribute was paid to the very effective work of the Section by insurance company representatives and other interested parties.
Neighbouring Brigades—The cooperation between this Brigade and those in neighbouring territories continues to be very satisfactory.
The exceptionally large number of fires in the extra-Settlement areas beyond the western boundary, bordering on the French Concession and Chinese territory, brought this Brigade into unusually close and frequent contact with the French Concession and Western District (Jessfield Village Chinese) Brigades. On those occasions there was the fullest ce-operation between the respective units, and the assistance rendered by the two Brigades mentioned was very valuable, particularly at the more extensive fires, Sing-Song Premises Regular Inspections of licensed premises were carried out and the attention of licences drawn to breaches of the Licence Conditions. "Special attention was given to singsong and story-teller premises and whenever these were found to be Mr. Welles Leaves on
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.