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The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, today (May 7) urged the disciplined services to maintain high alert in fighting the influenza infection currently affecting Hong Kong.
Mr Lee warned that the battle was far from over. ¡§Your continued hard work and support are vital to Government¡¦s efforts to safeguard the health of the community,¡¨ he told firemen and ambulancemen during a visit to Sai Wan Ho Fire Station and Ambulance Depot this morning.
Mr Lee said the disciplined services had their own roles to play and functions to perform whenever Hong Kong was under the threat of a pandemic.
¡§They have also drawn up procedures and guidelines to assist frontline personnel carry out their duties and protect themselves from being affected by the infection,¡¨ he said.
Apart from the regular disciplined services, Mr Lee also commended the two auxiliary forces - the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Civil Aid Service - for their contributions to the Government¡¦s overall efforts in fighting to prevent a pandemic.
¡§We have all seen their work in helping to monitor the conditions of travellers at immigration control points and manage the quarantine facilities such as the Metropark Hotel and the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village,¡¨ he said.
During the visit this morning, Mr Lee was briefed on the precautionary measures taken by the Fire Services first-responder teams and ambulancemen when carrying out emergency duties relating to handling patients affected by the infection.
He also inspected the personal protective gear worn by frontline staff for such duties.
Ends/Thursday, May 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:52
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