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In response to media enquiries on the public procession staged by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Ambulancemen's Union (AU) today (January 20), the Fire Services Department (FSD) expressed its regret over the AU's action and appealed to the union to be restrained and maintain a continuous dialogue with the management.
An FSD spokesman said that the FSD management has always attached great importance to the views of staff of various streams of the department including the Ambulance Stream. Adopting an open and pragmatic approach in its close communication with staff unions, the management has responded proactively to their requests on welfare and conditions of service within the constraints of available resources.
"The department has responded and followed up proactively on the views of the AU regarding their issues of concern, including meal breaks, the Paramedic Supervisor Allowance review, Ambulance Stream manpower, the Driving Video Recording System trial scheme, the annual Physical Fitness Assessment, the Medical Committee Mechanism and the cleaning of their orange-coloured uniform jackets. The management treats staff of all streams on an equal basis and will strive to secure resources to fulfil requests as long as these requests are reasonable, with a view to expeditiously implementing measures to meet the actual needs of our staff," the spokesman said.
The FSD spokesman reiterated that the management will maintain a continuous dialogue with the AU and listen to their requests with an open and pragmatic attitude. He also appealed to the AU to communicate with the management candidly and pragmatically.
"The FSD respects the right of AU members to stage public processions but hopes that such actions will in no way affect the quality or efficiency of the department's emergency ambulance service," he said.
Note: The FSD issued a letter to each Ambulance Stream staff member earlier this month to clearly explain the management's follow up actions on the AU's matters of concern and the latest progress on these issues. Please refer to the attachment for the contents of the letter (Chinese only).
Ends/Monday, January 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:23
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