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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Wednesday) visited the Fire Services Department(FSD) where he saw at first-hand how fire-fighters tackled a mock No. 1 alarm fire.

Mr Tung was welcomed at the FSD's Headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui by the Director of Fire Services, Mr Peter Cheung; Deputy Director, Mr John Tsang Kwong-yu and acting Chief Fire Officer(Headquarters), Mr Lee Chee-chung.

He also met all the senior commanders of the Department.

The Chief Executive was briefed on the organisation and role of the FSD, which, with a force of 8,840-strong, is the second largest disciplined service in the Hong Kong SAR.

Mr Tung also learned more about the planned development of the fire and ambulance services as well as plans to work in partnership with the community to improve fire safety in Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive noted that FSD had been deploying more of its officers for inspection of old buildings and encouraging the public to be more fire safety-conscious.

In the first half of this year, fire officers carried out 68,645 inspections which led to the issuing of 5,828 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices and 276 prosecutions made.

The Department has also strengthened its Community Relations Division (CRD) with the ultimate aim of enhancing public fire safety awareness.

The Division has delivered some 720 fire safety talks to institutions including hospitals, homes for the aged, schools and other interested groups, with attendance of over 14,500 people in the first half year.

Mr Tung later visited the Fire Services Communication Centre, which is operated round the clock, and he saw a demonstration on the mobilising system.

Mr Tung was told that a new Address Transmission System would be commissioned by the end of this year to facilitate quicker response to emergency calls by operational staff. Through this computer system, operational staff at respective fire stations will receive a print-out of the incident address in addition to verbal information from the Communication Centre on receipt of calls.

This was followed by a tour of the adjacent Tsim Tung Fire Station where Mr Tung had a close look at the fire and ambulance appliances on display. These included a 50-metre turntable ladder, diving tender, breathing apparatus tender, light rescue unit, paramedic ambulance, ambulance-aid motor cycle and mobile casualty treatment centre.

The Chief Executive's visit was concluded with a demonstration of firemen's response to a No. 1 alarm fire.

During the visit, Mr Tung also commended the Department for its efforts in enhancing public awareness of fire safety, especially with the implementation of the Fire Safety Ambassador Scheme whereby volunteers such as scouts and guides are helping to instil in others a stronger sense of fire safety.

End/Wednesday, July 15, 1998

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