7
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1984
FITNESS VITAL TO FIREMEN
****
FITNESS IS VITAL TO EVERY FIREMAN BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY, SAID MR BRIAN FENDER, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, HONG KONG FIRE COMMAND TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE MADE THE REMARK WHEN HE ADDRESSED A BATCH OF 20 PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTORS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON COMPLETION OF A SIX-WEEK INTENSIVE TRAINING COURSE.
+ AM PROUD OF THE STANDARDS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS ENJOYED AND MAINTAINED BY MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE AND, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE IS NO OTHER FIRE SERVICE OF SIMILAR SIZE TO HONG KONG WHOSE PERSONNEL CAN EQUATE WITH SUCH LEVELS,+ MR FENDER SAID.
HE SAID THAT IN THE USA ONLY A FEW BRIGADES HAVE A REGULAR FITNESS TRAINING PROGRAMME ALTHOUGH THE JOB OF A FIREMAN IS AMONG THE TOP FIVE MOST DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS.
MR FENDER ADDED THAT EVEN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM INTEREST WAS ONLY NOW BEING SHOWN IN A NUMBER OF BRIGADES AND PROGRAMMES WERE BEING INTRODUCED.
+WE IN HONG KONG ARE FORTUNATE IN HAVING AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME WITH TRAINED PHYSICAL FITNESS INSTRUCTORS AND FITNESS-EXERCISE ROOMS BEING PROVIDED. THE FAR SIGHTEDNESS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH A TRAINING PROGRAMME IS DESERVING OF COMMENDATION.+
+ THE BENEFITS ON THE FIREGROUND IN THE WAY WHICH PERSONNEL ARE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE INTENSE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OVER MANY HOURS HAVE BEEN OBVIOUS AND IT SPEAKS MUCH OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMME THAT SERIOUS INJURIES AND PROLONGED SICK LEAVE ARE RARE,+ MR FENDER ADDED.
MR FENDER LATER PRESENTED THE BEST TRAINEE AWARD TO FIREMAN WONG WAI-KEUNG. THE CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE VICTORY HALL OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AT SHA TIN.
18