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LCQ16: Survivor detectors used by the Fire Services Department

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Following is a question by the Hon Tang Siu-tong and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, in the Legislative Council today (January 16):

Question:

It was reported that the Fire Services Department ("FSD") recently purchased a survivor detector called DKL LifeGuard, but the performance of this model of survivor detectors was called into question in the test reports published by the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Justice of the United States respectively. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the models of survivor detectors currently used by FSD and the number of each model;

(b) whether FSD had obtained overseas test reports and rating information on this model of survivor detectors before it purchased this product; if so, how such information has been obtained, and whether the test reports obtained include both of the reports mentioned above;

(c) of the results of internal tests conducted on the DKL LifeGuard by FSD;

(d) how FSD staff who have used the DKL LifeGuard evaluate its performance; and

(e) whether FSD plans to purchase more survivor detectors of this model; if so, of the details?

Reply

Madam President,



(a) The relevant information is as follows:





Model                     Quantity      Working Principle


_____                     ________       _________________





"Delsar" Life Detection    5 sets       Detection of vibrations and 

System  
                                        sound waves





Video Imagescope           1 set        Search camera on a     


                                        flexible probe to 


                                        obtain images in


                                        confined space





"DKL" LifeGuard            1 set        Detection of 


Model 1                                 dielectrokinetic


                                        energy of the 


                                        human heartbeat
(b) To improve its search and rescue capability, the Fire Services Department (FSD) always seeks to keep abreast of development in new or innovative life-saving technologies and equipment through articles in professional magazines, internet, information obtained from suppliers, exchanges with overseas counterparts and other means. In 1998 FSD started to follow and study the development of a new dielectrokinetic technology for rescue application. This included reviewing a test report on a prototype model - "DKL" LifeGuard Model 2. The test report, commissioned by the United States Department of Energy, was prepared by Sandia National Laboratories. It was then found that the new technology was still under extensive testing, and no commercial model was offered on the market. As for the other test report cited in the question, which only came to FSD's attention recently, it is related to another prototype model - "DKL" LifeGuard Model No. 3. Neither has this model been offered on the commercial market. Nevertheless, FSD has kept the technological development and market condition under close monitoring.

In 2001 FSD reckoned that, after several years of technological improvement, a commercial model - "DKL" LifeGuard Model 1 - had been released into the market, and that fire brigades and emergency agencies of the United States, Germany, Belgium, Taiwan and Japan had procured this model for rescue use. In response to FSD's enquiry, the supplier arranged presentation and demonstration of the functions of the product to FSD and produced a test report from an independent product testing body. After thorough study on the product's tested performance, reliability, durability and compatibility with the existing equipment, FSD procured one set of "DKL" LifeGuard Model 1 for longer-term performance evaluation.

It should be noted that the search and rescue operations of FSD require integrated use of various equipment. The "DKL" LifeGuard Model 1 is primarily deployed for speedy, initial detection of the presence of trapped persons to narrow down the scope for detailed search. Equipment that detects sounds or vibrations generated by knocking or movements of trapped persons and probe camera also have a major role to play in locating trapped persons.

(c) & (d) FSD have conducted evaluations and practical tests on the "DKL" LifeGuard Model 1 both before and after the procurement and the results have been satisfactory. Feedback from frontline staff on the performance of the product in the field has also been positive.

(e) FSD will conclude the results of the evaluation of "DKL" LifeGuard Model 1 in mid-2002 and decide whether it would procure more survivor detectors of this model for general use within the service to enhance its search and rescue capability.

End/Wednesday, January 16, 2002

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