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About 300 fire and ambulance professionals from 13 countries and regions took part in the Fire Asia 2009 International Conference and Exhibition held in Hong Kong.
Officiating this morning (February 9) at the opening ceremony of the four-day conference were Secretary for Security Mr Ambrose S K Lee and the Director of Fire Services, Mr Lo Chun-hung.
Mr Lo said the conference had brought together the brightest minds and richest experience in the fields of fire and rescue, fire safety and emergency medical services.
He said, "Experts in those fields from different parts of the world will share with us their valuable knowledge and experience.
"I have no doubt that fellow participants will make good use of this golden opportunity to investigate issues of common or individual concerns, to exchange ideas and initiate discussion on how we may do a better job, and how well we can prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead."
Fire Asia, organised every two to three years, has been held five times since 1990. Hong Kong has now hosted the conference three consecutive times following the two previous conferences in 2003 and 2006.
The conference aims to combine the knowledge of emergency services personnel with those of the fire engineers and installers of fire safety products and services, provide a broad-based approach which will enhance the promotion of excellence in fire safety across the region, and provide a wider arena for discussion and networking for all emergency services and fire safety professionals.
Fire Asia 2009, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 9 to 12, carries the theme of "Rising to New Challenges" which covers the areas of performance-based solutions, engineering for safety, emergency preparedness and management of emergency services, as well as the development of disaster preparedness by the people of China.
An exhibition is also held in conjunction with the conference, featuring the newly developed fire-fighting, rescue and protecting equipment, fire safety equipment and associated software. A total of 34 exhibitors from world-wide participated in the exhibition.
Ends/Monday, February 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:29
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