View report page

Radio-telephony—1959 saw a continuing extension of radio-telephony communication
in the Service. Only one channel was in use but plans were laid to provide a second channel,
with 'talk-through' facilities available on both channels, which will increase the effectiveness
of the system considerably.
Operational—The general section, particularly north of the river, remained hard-pressed
and the Council authorised the provision of ten additional radio-equipped ambulances.
These were allocated to the Fulham ambulance station. They are fully equipped for
accident work if required, but normally operate on general work over a wide area of the
county north of the Thames and as they are under radio control they provide a very
flexible service. The three original accident section vehicles at the Fulham station continue
to provide the usual accident service in that area.
Vehicles—Production of the new-type Austin ambulances continued at a modest rate
in 1959.
The authorised operational vehicle strength for the year 1959/60 was:
Large ambulances 252
Single-stretcher, sitting-case ambulances 62
Sitting-case cars 24
Ambulance buses 4
Tenders 2
344
Staff—The service is under the supervision of an Officer-in-Charge and is staffed by
28 administrative and clerical staff, 74 ambulance control clerks and 843 operative staff.
An additional position of Station Officer was authorised in 1959 for duty at Headquarters.
With the expansion of Fulham ambulance station, the position of Station Officer
at that station was upgraded to Assistant Superintendent and the staff establishment
increased by two leading drivers and eighteen men.
Award of resuscitation certificates—Two drivers in the accident section of the service
were awarded the Royal Humane Society's resuscitation certificate during the year.
Safe Driving—Of 765 drivers entered in the National Safe Driving Competition held by
the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in 1958, 70 per cent. gained awards.
Of the remainder 16 per cent. were disqualified and 14 per cent. were accounted for by
resignations and by exemption owing to prolonged sickness.
Civil Defence
In the course of the year the strength of the Ambulance and Casualty Collecting Section
fell slightly from 1,623 to 1,600. The drop is attributable to the cancellation of the usual
autumn recruiting campaign because of the general election.
During the year, 295 persons were enrolled but 318 persons resigned.
The following courses were held during 1959:
Introductory 2
First-aid 7
Ambulance section—part (1) 9
Ambulance section—part (2) 10
Driving and maintenance 11
Officer selection 4
First-aid practical revision 5
After a total of 1,300 hours' instruction by the British School of Motoring 44 volunteers
passed the Ministry of Transport driving test.
A total of 3,737 hours' driving practice on various types of ambulance was put in by
volunteers holding driving licences and 371 tests were passed on such vehicles.
77