XN000022-1979-01-23 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

+FIREMEN STATIONED THERE MUST GO THROUGH SPECIAL TRAINING TO PREPARE THEM TO DEAL WITH AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE SAME HIGH STANDARDS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND MENTAL ALERTNESS REQUIRED OF ALL FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL TO ENABLE THEM TO COPE EFFICIENTLY WITH THEIR DUTIES,+ HE SAID.

THE TRAINING VARIES FROM HOT FIRE DRILLS, CRASH EXERCISES, LECTURES AND LIAISON WITH OTHER SERVICES IN DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES WHICH COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES OF PASSENGERS, AIRCRAFT AND PROPERTY AT THE AIRPORT.

+ALL MEMBERS OF THE CONTINGENT MUST BE HIGHLY SKILLED, EFFICIENT. ALERT AND QUICK-MINDED AND READY TO DEAL WITH AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES WHICH INVOLVE THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE ON BOARD AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

IN ADDITION TO THEIR MAIN DUTIES, THEY ALSO ASSIST IN ENSURING THAT THE HAZARD TO AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS CAUSED BY BIRD STRIKES IS MINIMISED, PARTICULARLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN LARGE FLOCKS OF MIGRATING BIRDS PASS THROUGH HONG KONG.

OUTLINING THE CONTINGENT'S ESTABLISHMENT AND EQUIPMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN FIRE STATION AND SUB-STATION HAVE A COMBINED FORCE OF 114 MEN EQUIPPED WITH 15 FIRE ENGINES, VEHICLES AND RESCUE BOATS.

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