Page 111 - Archived Back Issues

GETTING TO KNOW YOU - PETER MANSI
Peter is a Certified Fire Investigator with the International Association of Arson Investigators, Member of the Forensic Science Society and Graduate of the Institution of Fire Engineers.
He is familiar with courtroom techniques in Federal Law Enforcement and with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, USA. Peter has developed a unique comprehensive fire investigation methodology, having designed a series of 23 Fire Investigation Route Maps (FIRMs) and associated guidance to enable the investigator to identify and analyse all available data relating to any incident ensuring thorough, rigorous and systematic approach to fire.
Peter has been involved, either directly or indirectly, with many of the most high profile fire investigations within the UK and Ireland over the last decade; Bethnal Green Road Fire Fighter fatalities; Stevenage Fire Fighter fatalities; Iron Mountain data storage warehouse fire; and the Cutty Sark fire among many others.
SINGAPORE
CENTRAL FIRE
SERVICE
When I visited Singapore recently, I was interested to discover that my hotel was near the Central Fire Station in Singapore. It is Singapore’s oldest existing fire station and provides fire fighting, ambulance and rescue coverage for the central district. Alongside the fire station, the oldest part of the building has been converted into a Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, open to the public, tracing the history and advances in fire-fighting which have taken place during the 20th and 21st centuries.
The early history is similar in some ways to the development of the London fire Brigade by Captain Massey Shaw. Throughout the 19th century Singapore was plagued with frequent fire occurrences, which spread swiftly through the narrow crowded streets causing massive damage to property and loss of life. There were three fire stations, but they were ill equipped to deal with the situation.
At last, in 1905 Montague Pett was appointed as superintendent to reorganise the Singapore Fire Brigade and his first move was to construct a modern fire station, with garage space for the first motorised fire engines, staff quarters, many time saving devices and a watch tower. The Central Fire Station opened in 1909, leading to a substantial decrease in the number and scale of the fires.
I was shown round by W.O. Yunnos Shariff, retired after 42 year’s service, and now an enthusiastic volunteer at the museum. For the hour or so I was there, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of school parties that went by, showing that the museum is an useful educational resource. As well as fire engines, dating through the years from 1911, there were other artefacts along the lines of the LFB museum at Winchester House and a section devoted to rescue assistance at disaster areas around the Pacific Basin.
Given the uncertain future of the museum at Winchester House, I hope a suitable home will be found where it too will be able to further its education services, particularly to young people, but also to a wider public.
Beryl Jeffrey
MEMORABILIA
In celebration of 21 years since the formation of The Guild of Firefighters, a unique crystal glass to keep as a future family heirloom is available for purchase. The goblet is priced at £10.00. Please add £2.50 for postage and packing.
There are only 7 left.
WCoFF ties in blue and red are available for purchase at £25 each.
Also available are
crystal glass
paperweights at £10
each, Salamander label pins at £80 each and cuff links at £22.50 for a set.
All enquiries to Brian Eves at: brian84.eves@virgin.net.
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