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PICK-A-BACK RADIO
SETS IN FORESTS
Mile-long Hose Tested
For the first time in Victorian forest history, pick-a-back
radio sets and hoses nearly a mile long were used hit week in
Forests Commission tests at Macedon.
THE tests foreshadow a new dovclop-
mem In Victorian forest safety policy.
They are tlio result of a visit to America
by Mr W. W. Gay, a member of the
Commission, from March to November
last year.
The portable radio sots were imported
through the forest division of the Ore
gon (U.S.A.) Department of Agriculture.
They have been under test by Mr R.
R. Mackny, In charge of the Melbourne
Technical College Radio School, who
gained forest experience as a young
man with his father. Mr H. R. Mackoy,
Conservator of Forests before the ap
pointment of the Commission.,
IMPORTED PUMPS
The Macedon test included first use
of four pumping machines, also recently
imported by the Commission. These
range In price from 3)40 to £200. All
except the £200 model, which is equip
ped with rubber-tyred wheels, and is
drawn behind a motor car, arc portable.
The test was made against a tiny fire,
representing a bush fire. Water for the
pumps is drawn from reservoirs, or,
where there are no reservoirs, will be
drawn from the dams which form part
of the Commission's forest safety scheme.
The first length of hose imported by
the Forests Commission, consisting of
2000ft,, was linked with another 2000ft
belonging to the Macedon bush fire brl-
fiado. recently purchased as a result of
ocnl effort.
Radio communication between those at
the pumps and those at the end at the
hoses carried instructions about water
pressures required,
. Another test will be held at Macedon
next week, when a fifth oump. Just ar
rived, will be used competitively against
the others.
WEIGH 15 LB.
The portable sets, which weigh about
151b., aro approximately Sin. x 61n. by
lft. and are carried on forest, officers'
backs. They are equipped with collap
sible "fishing-rod" aerials when used in
the forests themselves, and with a/Strung
wire aerial when used at the pumps. '
When carried on the back, thev can
be used while the wearer is walking
through the forest, the wearer's compan
ion walking behind and talking as they
go.
Their range for speech is 26 miles
and for morse 100 miles. Morse will be
used when secrecy, as In the caso of
reports of deliberate fire-lighting, Is
desired.
The Commission possesses only two
sets at present The number required
will be based on a detailed plan now
being worked out Completion of the
scheme will determine also the number
of pumps required.
The full scheme envisages a central
Forests Commission radio station, with
sub-stations in districts.
The first forester is now being trained
In use of the pick-a-back radio set at
the College.
CABINET DISCUSSES
NEW BUSHFIRE POLICY
Legislation for State Parliament next session to give effect
to some of the recommendations of the Royal Commissioner
(Judge Stretton) on bushfires will be further considered by State
Cabinet late today.
£JAB1NET is expected to adopt a plani
of fire control and prevention, to be
submitted by the Minister for Lands and
Forests (Mr Lind).
This plan, similar to that in opera
tion in Western Australia, will provide
for forest areas being divided into com
partments. and for an extensive system
of look-outs and ground patrols.
Cabinet will also soon determine whe
ther the control of forests will con
tinue to be vested in the Forests' Com
mission or whether the Commission will
be converted Into a separate department,
under the Lands Department, as for
merly.
It Is not likely that Cabinet will adopt
the recommendation of Judge Stretton
that a State fire authority should be
constituted, free of control by any public
department, or combination of depart
ments.
Other recommendations by Judge
Stretton to bo considered today by
Cabinet include:—
Formulation of a general plan of fire
prevention and protection.
Forests Commission In complete control
of all forests for fire prevention pur
poses except in certain areas.
Stricter control of areas where illegal
burning by graziers is persistent.
More finance lor the Forests Commis
sion.
Special safety precautions at timber mills.
Including compulsory dug outs at milt
setUements and at winches.
Forests Commission empowered to de
fine and police camping areas within
its territory.
Control of miners and others entering
the forest.
Water conservation in dams and tanks in
forests.
Enrolment of outside forces for bushflre
suppression.
Protective burning by Forests Commis
sion.
W.A. Scheme. — Page 8.
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