The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, reviewed the 189th Fire Services passing-out parade for 14 station officers, three ambulance officers, 79 firemen and 77 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (July 22).

     Speaking at the parade, Mr Nip commended the Fire Services Department (FSD) for rising to the challenge at the forefront in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by providing emergency treatment to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and transferring them and close contacts to hospitals and other medical facilities for testing, quarantine arrangements or further treatment.

     He added that the FSD fully supports the Government's anti-epidemic measures. Not only did they assist in setting up the quarantine centres and temporary hospital, but over 1 000 of them also rendered assistance in launching the Universal Community Testing Programme by serving as officers-in-charge or samplers in the testing centres. They also assisted with spot checks on persons under home quarantine, and with tracing the contacts of COVID-19 confirmed cases.

     "The FSD recruited almost 800 staff members over a short period of time to assist in the first large-scale compulsory testing exercise in the specified 'restricted area' in Jordan in February this year, providing support to on-site logistics and devoting efforts to cut the chain of virus transmission in the community."

     Mr Nip said that although the FSD has to cope with numerous arduous tasks in relation to the pandemic, it has efficiently implemented a number of work plans during the same period and has continuously improved its services to meet the needs of society. He encouraged the graduates to make the most of every training opportunity in the future, and continue to enrich themselves so that they can keep abreast of the fast developments of the FSD and deal with new challenges in their work. In the meantime, graduates are also encouraged to participate in various initiatives of the department and the Government, keeping the spirit of continuous innovation and change, and fulfilling the departmental mission of "Serving with courage, passion and commitment".

     The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 173 graduates will be posted to various fire stations and ambulance depots.

Ends/Thursday, July 22, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:20

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