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Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question raised by the Hon Albert Ho in the Legislative Council today (June 4):
Question:
I have learnt that audible air defence and emergency alarm facilities are provided in major cities on the Mainland and in many countries around the world. These cities will regularly sound the alarms to test such facilities, and as a means of providing public education. Government-specified air defence and emergency refuges are also provided in these cities in preparation for the occurrence of catastrophes. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether there are such facilities in Hong Kong; if so, of the details such as the locations of such facilities and the installations therein, etc.; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) apart from the above facilities, whether currently there are any other similar emergency facilities and installations in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; and
(c) whether it has implemented or has any plan to implement education policy or measures relating to catastrophes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Hong Kong does not have any audible air defence and emergency alarm facilities. In the event of an emergency, the HKSAR Government will immediately issue warnings through radio or television broadcasting and government website to members of the public to help them take appropriate precautions as soon as possible. As information systems and networks are well developed in Hong Kong, the existing warning system has been widely used in emergencies such as typhoons, rainstorms, flooding and landslips. Members of the public are very familiar with this warning system, which has been proved effective for years. Moreover, in the event of an emergency, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) will activate the contingency plans in place by setting up temporary shelters and help desks, registering victims, and providing them with the necessary emergency supplies accordingly.
(b) Apart from the above warning system and temporary shelter facilities, the emergency service departments of the HKSAR Government, which are experienced and adequately equipped teams for rescue operations, are well prepared to handle various emergency situations. Each of them has drawn up its contingency plans, and will conduct exercises regularly, including inter-departmental exercises, to test and enhance inter-departmental co-ordination and co-operation, as well as to ensure swift and effective response from government departments during emergencies.
(c) Government departments have also issued advice as appropriate to draw public attention to matters of concern in different emergency situations. For example, the Security Bureau (SB) has published a booklet entitled Simple Guidelines in the Event of Major Mishaps to provide the public with some simple and effective precautions against natural disasters and serious accidents, as well as some guidelines on how to reduce risks, and protect their lives and properties from mishaps. Copies of the booklet have been distributed to the district offices of the HAD, SWD and schools for reference of the public and the students. The contents of the booklet are also available on the homepage of the SB. In addition, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has organised, from time to time, major seminars to enhance public awareness of natural hazards, such as the "Earthquakes and Tsunamis" in 2005 and "Earthquakes" in November 2007. Between mid-2005 to mid-2006, a large-scale inter-departmental public education campaign, "Safer Living", was jointly organised by a number of government departments, including the SB, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Drainage Services Department and HKO. Key activities of the campaign included a workshop for teachers, popular science lectures, TV documentaries, rescue drill demonstrations and a major exhibition. It aimed to enhance public understanding of natural disasters, to increase public preparedness and to reduce risk. The SB will continue to organise similar activities with other bureaux and departments, including the Education Bureau and HKO, whenever necessary.
Ends/Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:09
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