8.5
In view of these considerations it is recommended that in accordance with the availability of trained officers, officer cover is provided night and day at all ambulance depots. These officers should act as watch commanders, and should assume responsibility for the premises during their watch, and for discipline, crew readiness and supervision. They should also undertake more operational duties. In addition to attending major incidents they should attend other incidents and receiving hospitals on
a spot check basis. Routine reports and administration may also be kept up to date. This will eliminate the need to call in officers at night. For the present thirteen depots, this cover will require approximately sixty-five Ambulance Officers. A further five Ambulance Officers will
be required to act as station commanders. Their duties should encompass the tasks in the present job description, although more clearly related to the responsibilities of a watch or station commander.
8.7
in
At the senior levels, the rank of officers compares unfavourably with staff in Medical and Health Department and with officers in Fire Services Department. This sometimes places Ambulance Command at a disadvantage when officers are engaged operational contacts with other departments. Their inferior status affects attempts to make arrangements to improve resource use. It is also clearly detrimental to morale.
8.8
In strengthening the officer structure and clarifying the responsibilities and accountability of each post, it is recommended that each depot should be commanded by a Senior Ambulance Officer, to whom the Ambulance Officers on rotating shifts at each depot will report. The job descriptions should include all the present elements, but be more clearly related to a depot commander role. Each operational Senior Ambulance Officer should hold the responsibility for the
men, vehicles, premises, materials and activities at his depot and the associated stations. He should also be responsible for monitoring the performance of services provided from the depot and stations. He
may delegate appropriate tasks and responsibilities
to Ambulance Officers.
8.9
of
his
The structure
Ambulance Command would be more appropriately organised on a regional basis. Three regions Kowloon, New Territories and Hong Kong should be composed of a number of divisions. Initially there should be two divisions in each of the Kowloon and New Territories regions and one in Hong Kong. This structure will provide a suitable basis for the development of future services and will conform more closely. the organisation of many other government departments.
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