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47
Public Offices,
Enfield.
4th May, 1939.
To the Cha irman and Members of the
Urban District Council of Enfield.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Air Raid Precautions has now formed part of the routine work
of the department for over 3 years.
Originally the Council was required to provide a scheme that
would increase the number of hospital beds in Enfield by about 100
and which would provide Fiist Aid Posts and Cleansing Stations
throughout the district.
At a later date it was determined that the provision of hospital
beds should be left entriely in the hands of the Ministry of Health.
The part of the scheme appertaining to the provision of hospital
beds was therefore deleted.
The effect of gas warfare has been the subject of so much speculation
that it has been difficult to determine the extent to which
provision should be made for the decontamination of A.R.P. personnel
and of the public.
Until early September it was considered that medical buildings,
such as clinics, could be used satisfactorily. At a later date it was
thought that so much space for decontamination should be provided
that use of school buildings would be essential. Now finally
it would appear that semi-medical buildings are to be utilised with
the addition of and aided by Mobile Units. These Mobile Units
consist of cars containing equipment for dealing with a large number
of casualties. In time of war they would move to such area
as had been bombed and open up a First Aid Post in suitable premises
as near to the site of disaster as possible. Arrangements
have also had to be made for providing adequate ambulances and
stretcher party personnel.
It has fallen to the lot of the Health Department to train the
personnel required in First Aid and Anti-Gas, to assist in the preparation
of schemes and to help in the preparation of plans and
alterations for the use of the various premises required as First
Aid Posts and First Aid Depots, and in the protection thereof.
Insofar as the scheme for Enfield is part of the County scheme,