The Gas Decontamination of Goods and Passenger Vehicles
Page 17
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CONSIDERABLE thought to the position of road transport that might arise in the event of sustained gas attacks has been given by Sir John Maxwell, the Transport Commissioner for the Northern Region.
Whilst widespread, announcements have been made respecting the precautions which should be taken by members of the general public in the event of gas attacks, it is apparent that the road-transport industry, generally, is not fully alive to the seriousness of the situation with which the country would be faced consequent upon the immobilization of vehicles, which would inevitably follow serious attacks, unless adequate and prompt steps were taken to deal with the matter.
Local authorities and some of the larcer operators have foreseen this and have taken steps to provide, on their premises, vehicle decontamination facilities, and have arranged for the maintenance of trained personnel.
The Commissioner found, in the first instance, that considerable confusion existectin the minds of operators generally as to the responsibility for this work. Local authorities would undoubtedly be willing to provide whatever assistance 'lies in their power, but every owner of goods and passenger vehicles must be expected, in not only his own interests, but also in those of the Nation, to shoulder his responsibility and to take all possible steps to ensure the resumption of traffic with the minimum of delay.
In ,collaboration with the local authorities concerned, meetings of operatorS have been held at Newcastle, Sunderland, South Shields, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton, and else
where, these being addressed by an official expert on gas-prevention measures, decontamination of vehicles and the training of personnel. In many instances, 'meetings were followed by demonstrations with actual vehicles. _ It is appreciated that to provide washing facilities some adaptation of operators' premises is often necessary, and local authorities have intimated their readiness to carry out inspection and to advise operators how best to adapt -their garages for this purpose. They are Apo undertaking the training of drivers, mechanics and office staffs.
The response, so far, has been very gratifying, and it is expected that the Northern Region will soon possess an adequacy of centres and trained staff to deal with any emergency of this nature, We trust that similar action is being taken in other Regions.