PUBLIC ORDER
Recruitment and Training
133
A number of recruitment exercises were held throughout the year and the response was generally satisfactory. Of the 4,023 applications received for positions as opera- tional or marine firemen, senior ambulancemen and ambulancemen, 301 were accepted. In addition, 21 were appointed assistant station officers. At the end of the year, the department was still 1,069 under strength.
All recruits undergo initial training at the Fire Services Training School at Pat Heung in the New Territories. Courses vary in length and content with the type of recruits, lasting from 26 weeks for operational fire officers and firemen to eight weeks for ambulancemen and workshop firemen. The course for those recruited into the rank of senior ambulancemen lasts 12 weeks. The throughput of students during 1977 totalled 312 all ranks.
-
The school's facilities and curricula are revised periodically to cater for new tech- niques. Apart from training new recruits, the school conducts in-service refresher courses for serving officers. In 1977, school staff also gave fire-fighting and fire protection courses lasting from one to 10 days to 1,677 staff of government depart- ments and private organisations mainly connected with shipping.
Establishment
The establishment of the Fire Services Department at the end of 1977 totalled 4,632 all ranks an increase of 889 over the previous year. Strength was 3,563, made up of 376 officers and 3,187 other ranks. The number of civilian staff rose by 29 to 375. During the year, 21 officers and 301 other ranks were appointed, but the services of 257 men were lost through death, dismissal, retirement and resignation.
}