5.
5.1
LOCATION STRATEGY
Location strategy has been reviewed within the policy framework of meeting given travel time targets to emergency calls with the maximum number of crews based at purpose-built depots. Where necessary and feasible, outposting and standby at fire stations is considered. As a secondary criterion, accommodation needs are taken into account in assessing depot locations, regardless of the effect on emergency cover.
5.2
The analysis demonstrated that a ten minute travel
time
target within which 95 per cent of calls must fall, ie. an average of four to five minutes, is the limit which is feasible
over
the next five years within the given policy Further reductions in travel times would substantial increase in the number of locations
guidelines. require Э and crews.
fire
entailing considerably more temporary standby at stations, planned fire stations and hospitals. This is discussed in Sections 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d) of the Report on Emergency
Services.
5.3
Achievement of a ten minute target will present some difficulties. The projects in the current PWP (see Appendix 3) will not be sufficient. Outposting at fire stations will need to continue through the five year period, supplemented by temporary standby at several further fire stations. Moreover, a more dynamic system of cover than that currently practiced will be necessary, whereby FSCC reroutes crews on the road to calls more frequently and relocates crews to areas where cover
is temporarily depleted, ie. provides backup, on a more regular basis.
5.4
The main priorities in the development of new depots as follows:
O
In
are
Kowloon Division the planned depots at Junk Bay, Wong Tai Sin and Tsim Sha Tsui should proceed as planned. A new site for a standard depot should be sought between Kwun Tong and Lam Tin. A standard depot will be required at Mong Kok. The planned depot at Ho Man Tin, although not an effective site for emergency cover, will provide necessary accommodation in an area with very few alternative sites.
In
be
New Territories Division a distinction needs to made between urban and rural areas. In rural areas 95% cover within 10 minutes is cleary not feasible. Most of the depots in the PWP as category A or AB will be effective sites for emergency cover. A standard depot at Tsuen Wan is urgently required. However the present depots at Castle Peak Bay, Fat Heung and Tsing Yi are not well sited in relation to current
emergency work.
5