CS reviews Fire Services passing-out parade (with photos)
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     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, reviewed the 178th Fire Services passing-out parade for 19 station officers, nine senior firemen of the Mobilising and Communications Group, 69 firemen and 44 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (May 12).
 
     Speaking at the parade, Mr Cheung said, "Amid the rapid socio-economic development in Hong Kong, the demand and expectations of the public on the quality of government services keep rising. The challenges faced by the Fire Services Department (FSD) on all fronts such as firefighting, rescue, fire prevention, ambulance services, mobilising and communications are ever-increasing. Nevertheless, our colleagues in the FSD are all committed to rising to these challenges in a professional manner and to living up to the expectations of the public."
 
     Mr Cheung was impressed by the exceptional courage of Fire Services members who had handled various major incidents last year, including the rescue operation in Tai Mo Shan, a number of fires that broke out in the Mong Kok riot during the Lunar New Year and the No. 4 alarm fire at Amoycan Industrial Centre, Ngau Tau Kok Road. Their outstanding performance in undertaking various arduous firefighting and rescue operations without complaints was commendable, he said.
 
     Mr Cheung commended the FSD, with an establishment of just some 10 000 members, for being very effective in carrying out numerous complicated firefighting and rescue operations. He gave credit to the FSD members who serve a population of over 7 million professionally and fearlessly.
 
     "The Government has increased funding by more than $480 million for the FSD in the 2017-18 Budget. With more funding, the FSD can strengthen its manpower by creating 331 additional permanent posts and enhancing its facilities through the procurement of fire appliances, vessels and other equipment to cope with the increasing workload," he added.
 
     Mr Cheung also encouraged the graduates to uphold the fine tradition of the FSD, and expressed the wish that they would apply what they had learned to their work and serve the community with determination and courage.
 
     The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 141 graduates will be posted to the Fire Services Communications Centre, various fire stations and ambulance depots for on-the-job training in order to gain field experience.

Ends/Friday, May 12, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:55

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