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Following is the speech by the Director of Fire Services, Mr Lo Chun-hung, at the Department's 2010 year-end Review today (January 25):
Fire-fighting and Rescue Service
In 2010, there was a total of 40,604 fire calls, representing an increase of 13.5% as against 2009. The number of No.3 or above alarm fires increased from 10 in 2009 to 16 last year. However, the number of hill fires significantly decreased 37%, to 819 last year.
Last year, 94.9% of building fires were handled within the graded response time of six minutes, which was about 2.4% higher than our performance pledge of 92.5%.
Last year, the total number of special service calls was 26,859, representing an increase of 7.1% as against 2009. In one notable incident of collapse of building at Ma Tau Wai Road that happened on January 29 last year, Fire Services personnel rescued 42 persons. Among them, four were certified dead. The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team members were turned out and assisted in rescuing those trapped at scene. With a view to stepping up search and rescue capabilities of the USAR, the Department has procured two search dogs and sent two USAR members to the China Earthquake Administration in Beijing last year to receive three-month dog handler training. The two dog handlers and two search dogs have assumed operation in January 2011. With advanced equipment, they will assist in searching/rescuing victims trapped under rubble, thereby enhancing the possibility of extricating survivors.
Fire Protection
As regards fire protection, we conducted a total of 256,124 inspections last year, representing an increase of 6.5% (15,639 inspections) as against 2009. The inspections were conducted to ensure fire safety in relation to fire services installations, fire escapes, ventilation systems, handling of dangerous goods and licensed premises. A total of 41,678 inspections of licensed premises were carried out with 953 "Fire Hazard Abatement Notices" (FHANs) issued and 87 prosecutions instituted.
From 2008 to end of 2010, a total of 828 Building Fire Safety Envoys were trained by the Department to monitor the fire safety of 373 buildings. The result is very encouraging. Upon completion of a training course, envoys can carry out four functions, namely disseminating fire safety messages to occupants of their buildings; assisting in organising fire drills; inspecting and reporting fire hazards or irregularities and ensuring that the fire services installations of their buildings are properly checked every year.
We have continued to promote fire protection through various activities to enhance public awareness of fire safety.
Last year, the Department made an innovative move in collaboration with the Radio Television Hong Kong to produce eight episodes of TV drama series with a view to bringing home the messages of fire prevention, proper use of emergency ambulance service and the services of the fire and ambulance professions. The drama series has already been broadcast on seven Wednesdays commencing December 8, 2010, receiving favourable response with an average viewing rate of 1.2 million per episode.
Having analysed fatal fire incidents in the past, we observed that some persons lost their lives in a fire incident not because they were burnt in the affected unit, but that they were overcome by dense smoke at the staircase or corridor in the building. In case of fire, people usually panic in face of an environment filled up with dense smoke. They do not know whether they should remain where they are and wait for rescue, or attempt escape. In case they decide to leave but do not know how to escape, they will very likely be trapped by dense smoke and even meet their fate. In reviewing the fire safety promotion strategies, the Department has considered that a new programme should be introduced to allow the public to experience the situation in which they have to make escape in a fire scene, so that they could know how to make the right decision and choose the correct way to escape in case of emergency. In this connection, a new double-deck Fire Safety Education Bus will be put into operation shortly. The upper deck of the bus is designed as a domestic unit with the use of dense smoke and laser to simulate a fire scene. From the simulated evacuation exercise, participants will know whether or not and how to evacuate. In addition, the lower deck of the bus provides multi-media fire suppression training system, mini-hose reel and fire protection computer games. The bus planned by the Department with advanced and unique design, is believed to be the first of its kind in the world to simulate the fire scene in multi-storey buildings with a view to educating the public on how to escape to safety. The Fire Safety Education Bus will tour districts and organisations in the territory to promote fire safety during which different family members are welcome on board to experience the means of escape in a fire.
Immediately after the No.4 Alarm Fire at Lai Cheung Factory Building in Cheung Sha Wan on March 8 last year which aroused public concern over fire safety of industrial buildings, the Department conducted inspections to about 2,000 industrial buildings throughout Hong Kong. The scope of inspection included fire services installations, fire safety management, fire hazards, illegal structures, change of uses, etc. The inspection revealed that the satisfactory rate for fire safety condition of industrial buildings was 69%. Comparing with the overall satisfactory rate of 47% in the survey conducted in 1998, improvement in fire safety of industrial buildings was noted. Notwithstanding this, the Security Bureau and FSD are studying the need and measures to improve fire safety of old industrial buildings.
Ambulance Service
In 2010, the Department received 687,133 ambulance calls, meaning a daily average of 1,882 calls, and an increase of 4.2% as against 2009. The number of emergency calls increased by 4.8%.
In 2010, 92.1% of all emergency calls were handled within our target response time of 12 minutes.
To make continuous improvement in our ambulance service, we have implemented various new measures last year, which mainly include:
The Paramedic Service Quality Assurance System and E-Ambulance Journey Record have been fully implemented in August 2010 to improve the quality of paramedic ambulance service. All ambulance service cases will be monitored by the systems so as to enhance service quality.
202 ambulances planned for replacement and replenishment in 2009 and 2010 were put into service. In addition, 15 new inter-hospital transfer ambulances will be put into service soon. They are all equipped with a platform at the rear to facilitate loading and unloading of patients. The average age of the ambulance fleet will be further lowered from 4.7 years in 2009 to about two years at the end of 2010.
Lai Chi Kok Ambulance Depot was put into service in September 2010.
The Department has launched the Heart Saver Scheme since 2007. With favourable public support, we have provided training on the use of public access defibrillators to staff of a number of organisations in various sectors. As at the end of 2010, over 5,000 persons received the training.
Plans in the Year Ahead
The demand for fire and ambulance services has been evaluated from time to time in tandem with Hong Kong's development. To tie in with the commissioning of the Cruise Terminal at Kai Tak in mid 2013 and to cope with the anticipated commercial and residential developments in the vicinity, the Department has proposed to construct a fire station with ambulance facilities at Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay in order to provide adequate emergency service coverage for the area. We will also plan to construct a new ambulance depot in Sheung Shui to meet the demand for ambulance service in North District in the New Territories. In addition, the Department will replace 39 existing ambulances and procure 25 new ambulances in 2011.
The rescue capabilities of an emergency service hinge on two crucial elements, namely sophisticated equipment and proper training.
In view of this, the Department has always attached great importance to its equipment. We have been making every endeavour to identify the most advanced and appropriate equipment for our frontline personnel. By providing our frontline personnel with the most advanced equipment and protective clothing, their efficiency and safety during fire-fighting and rescue operations are further ensured. Apart from introducing the new breathing apparatus system as well as specialised equipment for High Angle Rescue and Road Rescue last year, the new golden fire tunics with better fire resistance functions and the new digital radio communication system will be put into use this year.
As regards training, the professional techniques of fire personnel are enhanced continuously. Subsequent to introducing a series of technique enhancement training courses last year, which include modules of High Angle Rescue, Road Rescue, Rapid Water Rescue and Mountain Rescue, we have just provided a two-week Compartment Fire Attacker course for our frontline personnel, aiming at strengthening their fire-fighting and rescue capabilities as well as abilities to cope with emergencies at the fire scene, such as flashover. Moreover, with a view to further enhancing our capabilities in handling High Angle Rescue operations and HazMat incidents, we are proactively offering relevant training to our frontline fire personnel and will set up a HazMat Task Force and High Angle Rescue Team within this year.
In the long run, we plan to construct a new Fire Services Training School with advanced training facilities at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O. The School covers an area of over ten hectares and incorporates a public education centre. The centre will strengthen the public's knowledge on fire protection, fire evacuation and first aid. There will also be facilities simulating natural disasters (e.g. earthquake) to educate the public on how to meet emergencies. FSD and the Architectural Services Department have launched the preliminary work of the construction project which is expected to complete in 2015. In the meantime, we will set up a venue for urban search and rescue training in Sheung Shui to strengthen USAR members' search and rescue capabilities.
To achieve our motto, "We advance with the times to serve better", we have spared no efforts in upgrading continuously our professional techniques, appliances, tools and personal equipment, etc., so as to enhance safety while delivering fire-fighting and rescue services of an even higher standard.
The Lunar New Year is coming in less than two weeks' time. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit.
Ends/Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:56
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