WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1978
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HE ALSO ASSURED MR. CHEN AND MR. CHEONG-LEEN THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD KEEP A RECORD OF PERFORMANCE IN RESPECT OF THE 72-HOUR DETENTION PERIOD AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RE-EXAMINE THE ESTABLISHMENT, CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND RECRUITMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINERS WITH A VIEW TO SHORTENING THE PERIOD OF DETENTION.
THE BILL WAS LATER PASSED INTO LAW WITH AMENDMENTS.
NEW AND IMPROVED COMMAND AND CONTROL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEM FOR FIRE SERVICES
******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A NEW AND IMPROVED COMMAND AND CONTROL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WOULD BE INTRODUCED NEXT AUGUST BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF APPLIANCES AND TO SPEED UP THEIR CALL-OUT.
IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN IN RELATION TO THE INITIAL DIFFICULTIES BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN TRYING TO REACH PREMISES TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH FIRE OR OTHER CALAMITY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES DISCLOSED THAT AN EXTENSIVE BUILDING PROGRAMME WAS BEING CARRIED OUT, ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN AREA AND AREAS OF HIGH RISK, TO ENSURE NEW FIRE STATIONS WOULD BE PROVIDED TO ACHIEVE THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED ATTENDANCE TIME OF SIX MINUTES FROM THE ALARM BEING RAISED.
+ IN THE SHORT TERM AND ON THE STREETS, A COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN OPERATION IN WEST KOWLOON TO GIVE THE DUTY OFFICER IN THE FIRE SERVICES, CONTROL OVER TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO HELP SPEED UP THE ATTENDANCE TIME OF APPLIANCES,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WAS KEEPING THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT INFORMED OF ROAD WORKS WHICH MAY AFFECT ACCESS TO BUILDINGS, OR CAUSE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, AND ADVANCE PLANS WERE BEING MADE FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.
MR. DAVIES SAID, +WHERE EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE DELAYED AS A RESULT OF ILLEGAL PARKING OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION, THE FIRE SERVICES COMMANDER ON THE WAY TO, OR AT AN INCIDENT, SEEKS URGENT POLICE ASSISTANCE BY RADIO TO CLEAR THE ROUTE AND VEHICLES ON IT.+
+ IT WOULD BE OF IMMENSE ASSISTANCE IF DRIVERS WOULD RESPOND QUICKLY TO SIRENS AND LIGHTS OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND GIVE WAY TO THEM,+ MR. DAVIES STRESSED.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT PLANS FOR NEW BUILDINGS WERE EXAMINED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE ACCESS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
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