14 APRIL] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE [591

8. The Council recommends that, since this service is likely to be reciprocal and required only infrequently, no charge should be made between Authorities for mutual assistance services. Exceptions to this practice will be necessary:

(i) Where assistance for a particular fire is required in excess of that laid down in the Code of Practices.

(ii) Where it is necessary to seek the assistance of more distant brigades to meet the requirements of the Code of Practices, or of a particular fire.

(iii) Where mutual agreements are not practicable because of the isolation of a particular district.

In these cases the Council recommends the payment of appropriate attendance charges as prescribed by the Fire Services Regulations 1954.

PART III—OPERATIONS AT EMERGENCY FIRES

9. A carefully planned organization is essential for successful operation in emergency and the actual planning and operation of this part of the scheme will require constant review. It is intended, therefore, to advise Urban Fire Authorities individually of the response expected from their brigades on emergency fire call after consultation with local brigade officers. The necessary instructions will be issued by the Chief Fire Service Officer under section 16 (2) of the Act, and the Authority may refer to the Council any objections taken to the operation of this part of the scheme as affecting its district. Subject to this right of appeal the Council directs that Urban Fire Authorities shall make available, upon request by a mobilizing officer, plant, equipment, and manpower up to the limit accepted by the Urban Fire Authorities. The standard manning of each appliance responding to an emergency call will be an officer or sub-officer and five men. The officer-in-charge of any brigade called on for assistance will immediately notify the mobilizing officer if it is unable to supply its allotted quota of men, appliances, and equipment, so that alternative provision may be made if standby duty is required. No volunteer brigade will, except in time of war, be called on for continuous service exceeding twenty-four hours, save at the brigade's option. Charges that may be made for attendance at emergency fires will be those prescribed by the Fire Service Regulations 1954.

10. The emergency contemplated by the Act is the existence or threat of one or more fires arising from enemy action, earthquake, major explosion, or forest fire which cannot be controlled by the local service even when reinforced under the supporting arrangements required under Part II above. Long continued operation or standby duty in a threatened area may be necessary. The officers responsible for the control of operations at the scene may be so heavily engaged that the assembly of further reinforcements may be impracticable from within the emergency area, particularly as the normal system of communications may break down in an emergency or become overloaded. The Chief Fire Officers in the following towns are hereby appointed Regional Officers for the purposes of this part of the scheme:

Whangarei. Palmerston North. Greymouth.
Auckland. Napier. Christchurch.
Hamilton. Wellington. Timaru.
Rotorua. Masterton. Dunedin.
Gisborne. Nelson. Invercargill.
New Plymouth.

In the event of an emergency arising the brigade officer in charge in the emergency area will immediately notify the nearest mobilization centre with which communication can be established of the nature of the emergency, the number of appliances and any special equipment or personnel required, and the place at which reinforcements are to report. It will be the responsibility of the officer in charge at the mobilization centre to arrange with the brigades conveniently located to send forward the plant, equipment, and men required at the scene of emergency and to replace appliances in towns denuded. He will detail a suitable officer to proceed with all despatch to the reporting point in an emergency area and to act for liaison purposes between the local controlling officer and the reinforcements. He will, at the same time, report the existence of the emergency to the Chief Fire Service Officer who will either himself proceed to the emergency and take control of the reinforcement units, or appoint a senior officer to do so. In the event of the Chief Fire Service Officer (or his deputy) not being available the report should be made to the Chief Fire Officer at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or Dunedin, whichever is appropriate, who will act in his stead. Except in case of war. when the Chief Fire Service Officer or his appointee will control, the local Chief Fire Officer will be in charge of the operations unless he decides to delegate his responsibilities for the time being to a more experienced fire officer.