XN000022-1996-03-06 — Page 122

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Reply:

Mr President:

(a)

Government's emergency response system is built upon professional, well-trained disciplined services staff (primarily Fire Services and Police), on call 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies. Government's emergency services are mobilised by departmental command and communication centres (CCCs) operating 24 hours a day. Through these CCCs, the emergency services involving different departments and agencies are well co-ordinated to provide the necessary response in most emergencies. The Government Secretariat Emergency Co-ordination Centre (GSECC) is opened only when the scale of response required is likely to be in excess of that which can be dealt with by the emergency services under their normal operating conditions. The GSECC is required to operate in situations which are usually of a territory wide nature (e.g., rainstorms) to facilitate inter-departmental liaison; and to ensure all relevant information is gathered centrally to facilitate any decision to be made in the Government Secretariat as necessary. In the case of the Pat Sin Leng hill fire, as it was largely a localised incident, the Fire Services Communication Centre (FSCC) quickly involved the Police, Civil Aid Services, Agriculture & Fisheries Department, Government Flying Services, Auxiliary Medical Services, the Hospital Authority, Information Services Department, Education Department, Social Welfare Department and the Home Affairs Department.

To provide an effective and efficient response to emergencies, it is essential to keep emergency command and communication systems as simple as possible. The Security Branch Duty Officer was informed by the FSCC and the Secretary for Security was kept informed through this channel and through his talks directly with the Director of Fire Services. As the response was under proper and effective co-ordination by the Department, we did not consider it necessary to activate the GSECC to add an extra layer to the communication process.