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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 11 (February 1, 1937)

Railway Fire-fighting Facilities

Railway Fire-fighting Facilities.

A most important obligation falling on railways everywhere is the protection of their properties against fire. At Home, fire brigades are specially trained and equipped by the railways, and thanks to their efficiency serious outbreaks are a rarity. It is at the larger locomotive and carriage centres that the principal brigades are located. So efficient are some of these railway teams that, in certain instances, they act as the city fire brigade in addition to their railway responsibilities. Special trains are also maintained in readiness at many of the larger railway centres. These trains are equipped with fire-fighting equipment, ready to move out at express speed to any fires which may occur on or adjoining railway property. The fire trains have one or more coaches for the conveyance of the brigade, a petrol driven fire pump, water tanks, and a large assortment of fire-fighting equipment. With the exception of watchmen, all the railway works firemen are volunteers, chosen for their interest in the work and their physical fitness. They drill regularly, and are capable of acting singly in an emergency, or as a unit in a brigade.