Search and Rescue
Page 57
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THE constant influx of immigrants into Hong Kong has made it impossible for that city to overcome its slum clearance problems, despite an extremely active rebuilding and modernization programme. Thus the authorities have had to devise special precautions against fire and other damage in large areas of flimsily built tenements.
To help meet this particular problem the fire department is employing some unconventional appliances, among them search and rescue tenders supplied by Merryweather and Sons Ltd. of Greenwich. Five of these machines are already in service and repeat orders have now been received.
They are based on the AEC chassis and have a main fire pump, driven from a power take-off, which is capable of delivering 800 gallons of water a minute. This can be directed through the ordinary fire hose or by way of two monitors that are mounted on the roof of the crew cab.
On the nearside are a 180 ft. rubber hose reel and a 300-gal. water tank for the use through this medium. Two folded jumping sheets are fitted to the off-side, opening out to 10-ft. diameter to facilitate rescues from buildings where access by stairway or ladder is impracticable. A Merryweather 50 ft. steel escape ladder is mounted at the rear and other ladders are also carried. The hydraulic winch at the front of the radiator is to assist in the removal of obstacles. Oxy-acetylene cutting equipment is available for use when necessary.