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He said the Security Branch would be conducting a comprehensive review on the Government's emergency communications channels to see how these might be improved to reflect the recommendations made by the Select Committee.
"We accept the Select Committee's conclusion that Government's overall emergency response systems generally, and Government Secretariat Emergency Co- ordination Centre's (GSECC) specifically, should be clarified and strengthened, and we will define GSECC's co-ordinating role more clearly," Mr Woodhouse said.
He pointed out that the actual operational decisions during an emergency were and by other handled by the emergency services the Police and Fire Services departments working through established emergency control centres.
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During flooding, landslips and other weather situations, these will include the Works Group of Departments working through their emergency control rooms, as well as district offices, Social Welfare Department and other relief agencies using their own well-established systems.
Significant improvements have already been made to the GSECC since July last year. Many of these improvements have been completed and others are now being finalised.
"The main improvements include the opening of a new, up-graded and more functional GSECC facility in February this year.
"The Hong Kong Disaster Plan, which serves as a guidance document on how government departments will respond in an emergency, was published in November last year," Mr Woodhouse said.
In addition, he said, a comprehensive series of training exercises had been established for GSECC personnel. Further exercises will be intended not only to train up new personnel but also to provide refresher training for existing team members.
"Also, improved channels of liaison have been established between GSECC and the Works Group of Departments. The Works Branch Liaison Officer has a central, dedicated workstation in GSECC. He will act as an expert link to ensure that Works Group of Departments will be informed, through the correct channels, of the overall situation in an emergency, so that they may plan the best possible response," Mr Woodhouse said.
End/Thursday, July 20, 1995