The Federal Government through the Royal Canadian Air Force pro- 

 vided aircraft and helicopters, permitting much more effective suppression 

 action in inaccessible areas than would otherwise have been possible. The 

 Ontario Provincial police performed an outstanding service in fire investi- 

 gation, traffic control and general law enforcement. Commercial aircraft 

 companies did an excellent job of flying and by providing spare relief 

 pilots. The Ontario Hydro Electric Commission loaned their helicopters on 

 several occasions. The weather Bureau co-operated to the utmost in pro- 

 viding regular and special fire weather forecasts. The press, radio and 

 television stations did a magnificent job of keeping the public fully 

 informed of the actual conditions at all times. The clergy co-operated by 

 informing parishioners, particularly in semi -wooded areas, of the grave 

 danger and the necessity of extreme care with fire. The forest industry 

 in several instances interrupted their operations to provide urgently 

 needed fire fighters and equipment. 



To all of these and to many other co-operators not mentioned in 

 the above, the Department is most sincerely grateful. 



Training 



The 1955 season provided an excellent opportunity to test many 

 types of equipment and procedures. 



Two courses of instruction in forest fire in co-operation with 

 industry were scheduled for July. The V/estern course held at Martin was 

 completed. It was necessary to cancel the Eastern course, which was to be 

 held at the Ranger School, due to the fire situation. 



The advantages of instruction in the organization of fire crews 

 and proper use of equipment being given to employees of forest industries, 

 municipal organizations and others, were clearly demonstrated. This 

 important work will be expanded. 



Radio Communications 



During the year 1955, the Department's Radio Communication System 

 of 119 stations handled a total of 6£,738 messages, totalling a word count 

 of 1,701,595. This was an increase of 9<fo over 1954 totals and resulted, to 

 a large extent, from the increased load of fire traffic. 



Six regionally assigned frequencies, 3309, 4460, 4520, 4535, 4580 

 and 4880 kilocycles, together with 5410 and 9160 kilocycles provided 

 communication within the regions and to main office. Still another frequency, 

 4775 kilocycles, was used exclusively by the 44 Departmental aircraft. 



The change to 46 Megacycle frequencies, for internal district commu- 

 nications, was continued during the year with expansions in the Parry Sound, 

 Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie districts and preliminary installations in the 

 Kapuskasing, Cochrane and Swastika districts. 



Tests of a prototype 10 channel aircraft radio installation were 

 favourably completed during the year in readiness for a scheduled change for 

 all aircraft, commencing in 1956. 



The following radio equipment was in use during 1955: 



Tower Radio Sets 323 



Mobile Radio Stations 38 



Marine Radio Stations 11 



Portable Ground Sets (i watt) 151 



Portable Ground Sets (2^ watts) 111 



30 Watt Ground Radio Stations 106 



75 V/att Ground Radio Stations 2 



100 Watt Ground Radio Stations 3 



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