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16
SECTION F.
AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS.
CASUALTY SERVICES.
At the beginning of the year under review six premises had
been tentatively earmarked for the establishment of First Aid
Posts. This proposal provided where possible for First Aid Posts
at or near Hospitals in the area, and was a definite improvement
on the emergency arrangements made in 1938 when the buildings
selected were at considerable distances from the Institutions.
In addition the Borough was approved for the establishment of
one Mobile Unit.
Plans were made for the best utilisation of the premises selected,
and while considerable numbers of volunteers were under training
those already trained were being allocated to their various Posts.
At the same time contact was made with local members of the
St. John Ambulance Brigade and the British Red Cross Society
with a view to the organisation of stretcher parties to be based
at definite points within the Borough. Steps were also being
taken to take delivery of stores and equipment to supplement the
materia] already at hand in order that, should the necessity arise,
initial supplies could be quickly delivered to the Posts.
On March 4th an A.R.P. exercise was held in which the Casualty
Services co-operated. Two of the premises earmarked as First
Aid Posts were staffed by trained volunteers and a Medical Officer
was in attendance at each place. Four Stretcher Parties were
utilised and the opportunity was taken of testing out the use of
ambulance trailers as compared with the commercial type of van,
such vans being at that period suggested as being capable of easy
conversion to stretcher-carrying units. The Stretcher Parties were
called out by a message from the Control Centre on receipt of
Wardens' reports concerning various incidents. The incidents
included ones where " gas-contaminated casualties " had to be
dealt with. In addition, from points near the First Aid Posts large
numbers of walking and sitting " casualties " were sent for attention.
The results of the exercise were very encouraging and added
to the enthusiasm and keenness of the personnel. Resulting from
such enthusiasm and progress in training and the co-operation of
the Hospital authorities, it was possible in May to commence fortnightly
meetings at each First Aid Post and Stretcher Party Depot
of personnel allocated to these services. Medical Officers had been
appointed in April to take charge of collective training of staffs
of First Aid Posts.