Page:HKFactSheet FireServices 032011.pdf/2

 authorities on the fire safety measures for the purposes of licensing/registering various types of premises.

Officers of the Command are seconded to the Home Affairs Department to inspect hotels, guesthouses, private clubs and bedspace apartments, and formulate fire safety requirements on these premises; whereas some are seconded to the Social Welfare Department to advise on fire protection measures in residential care homes for the elderly.

Fire Safety: The Fire Safety Command draws up fire safety policies and formulates fire safety measures in buildings. It also devotes much of its efforts to the upgrading of fire safety in old buildings and enhancing the community's awareness on fire safety.

The two Building Improvement Divisions are responsible for upgrading fire safety measures for various types of buildings in Hong Kong and investigating building fire safety complaints. A Special Enforcement Unit is set up to conduct inspections of old buildings and take enforcement actions against irregularities detected. A Building Fire Safety Envoy Scheme has been launched to encourage the public's participation in safeguarding buildings where they live or work. A Building Safety Loan Scheme, administered by the Director of Buildings, provides financial assistance to individual owners of all types of buildings to carry out fire safety improvement works.

The New Projects Division, in co-operation with the Building Authority and other government departments, is responsible for vetting new building plans including projects on mass transit systems, tunnels, bridges and airport, as well as formulating fire protection requirements appropriate to relevant premises and risks.

The Railway Development Strategy Division formulates and scrutinises fire safety requirements for new railway infrastructure projects. The Division has also been actively participating in the planning and design process of other new railway schemes by offering fire protection advices to the MTR and consultants.

The Support Division is responsible for formulating, reviewing and updating departmental policies on building fire safety improvement. The Division also devotes much of its efforts to improving public knowledge of fire safety. It produces publicity materials for TV and radio broadcasts as well as leaflets, posters, pamphlets and exhibits on fire safety. The Division works closely with local fire stations in organising fire safety talks, seminars, fire safety exhibitions, fire drills and training of Fire Safety Ambassadors (FSA), who are volunteers from various sectors of the community. To add impetus to the FSA Scheme, local community leaders are appointed as Honorary Presidents in 18 districts.

Administration and Logistic Support: The Headquarters Command offers policy, planning, management and logistic support to the operational Commands. It also oversees the operation of Fire Services Communications Centre, Fire Services Training School, recruitment and examination, workshops and transport, occupational safety and health, logistics, physical training, information and publicity matters, staff welfare and statistics.

The Administration Division, staffed by civilians, deals with departmental establishment, personnel, finance, appointments, general matters, staff relations, audit and translation service.

Airport Fire Contingent: The primary role of the contingent is to provide rescue and fire fighting coverage for the Hong Kong International Airport. The contingent, which comprises two fire stations and two sea rescue berths at strategic locations on the airport platform, is equipped with 14 fire appliances, two command boats and eight speedboats.

Diving Services: The Diving Unit comprises about 150 active divers responsible for all aquatic search and rescue within Hong Kong waters down to the maximum depth of 42 metres using compressed air diving equipment and underwater breaking-in tools. The Unit also operates a three-compartment compression chamber on Stonecutters Island for treating patients suffering from decompression illness and requiring hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

The FSD Diving Base on Stonecutters Island is equipped with a range of advanced professional and training facilities to enhance the search and rescue skills of Service divers.

Training: Fire Services Training School (FSTS) provides basic and specialised fire-fighting and rescue training for recruits. It also provides refresher and advanced training courses for all fire personnel.

Fire Services Ambulance Command Training School (FSACTS) provides initial and paramedic training to recruits and ambulance personnel. It also provides Advanced Ambulance Aid Training at first responder level to serving fire personnel.

The fire and ambulance recruits who have successfully completed a 26-week initial training will be posted to fire stations and ambulance depots respectively to continue their on-the-job training in order to gain field experience.

Apart from providing training for staff of other government departments, private organisations and overseas fire officers, FSTS also runs an Enhanced Smart Teen Challenge Project for youngsters jointly with the Education Bureau.

FSACTS provides initial and refresher training on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation to members of the public. The school also trains staff of property management companies, hotels, government premises, elderly homes, airport and MTR on the use of public access defibrillators to become Heart Savers.

In addition to overseas training on latest fire services technology and management skills, officers and instructors also attend various advanced courses conducted by overseas fire experts in Hong Kong.

Workshops: The Workshops Division is responsible for all engineering matters relating to fire appliances, fire-fighting and rescue equipment. These include design, development, procurement, inspection and maintenance, fitting out, modification, testing and commissioning.

Response Times: There are altogether 80 fire stations, 37 ambulance depots and six fireboat fire stations. They are strategically located to provide an emergency response for all areas. The graded response times for building fire calls are six minutes for built-up areas and nine to 23 minutes for areas of dispersed risks and isolated developments. For emergency ambulance services, the target response time is 12 minutes. The performance target is to achieve these response times in 92.5% of all calls.

Public Liaison Group: The group which comprises 30 members of the public from all walks of life helps promote better understanding between the public and the Department. It makes suggestions for improving the delivery of the Department's public services.