PUBLIC ORDER
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The services rendered by the society include casework, group work, counselling, hostel accommodation, employment guidance, recreational activities as well as care for those who have a history of mental illness.
Young Offender Assessment Panel
The Young Offender Assessment Panel was established in April 1987 to provide magis- trates with a co-ordinated view on the most appropriate programme for a particular young offender. Members include professional staff from the Correctional Services and the Social Welfare Departments. As a start, this service was confined to the Central Magistracy on a direct referral basis but in September it was extended to North Kowloon and Juvenile Courts. An overall review and assessment of the functions of the panel will be carried out when the scheme has run for a year.
Release under Supervision
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Legislation for a Release Under Supervision Scheme and a Pre-release Employment Scheme is complete and the two schemes will be introduced in 1988 to facilitate re-integration of prisoners into society. Prisoners who have served not less than half or 20 months (whichever period is the longer) of a sentence of three years or more may apply for release under the supervision of after-care officers. Prisoners who breach the supervision order are liable to be recalled to serve the remainder of their sentence. Under the Pre-release Employment Scheme, prisoners who are serving a sentence of two years or more and are within six months of completing their sentence may apply for release to take up employment and reside in a designated hostel under the supervision of after-care officers for the remaining period of their sentence. A prisoner who breaches his supervision order is liable to be recalled.
Fire Services
During the year, the Fire Services Department answered and handled 20 807 fire calls, 12 928 special service calls, and 281 401 emergency and 119 636 non-emergency ambulance calls. Fires caused 21 deaths, and injured 621 people, including 23 firemen. A total of 750 persons were rescued and hundreds of others were led to safety by Fire Services personnel.
Buildings and Quarters
In line with the government policy to provide an emergency response to all areas within minimum set times according to the category of risk, seven new fire stations were commissioned in 1987. These were at Pok Fu Lam on Hong Kong Island, Shek Kip Mei in Kowloon, Tin Sum, Castle Peak Bay, Pat Heung, Mui Wo and Lamma Island in the New Territories. Three ambulance depots were also completed in Tai Po, Tin Sum and Pok Fu Lam. There are now 56 fire stations, 22 ambulance depots/stations and five fireboat stations in the territory. The new 12-storey Fire Services Headquarters building in Tsim Sha Tsui East was officially opened on February 26. At the end of the year, more than 2 100 staff quarters were occupied or were available for occupation. A 50-unit Officers' Married Quarters was completed and planning was in hand for 1 376 additional married quarters for firemen and ambulancemen at selected sites.
Fire Prevention
The department is responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations. It also advises and assists all sections of the community with regard to fire protection measures generally and in the abatement of fire hazards. The Fire Protection Bureau plays an important role in