Fire_Brigade_1955-1956 — Page 16

AMBULANCE SERVICE

25. The Brigade has a fleet of 18 ambulances which operate from 7 different fire stations-i.e. Central, Eastern and Western in Hong Kong, Kowloon and Terminus in Kowloon, and Tai Po and Yuen Long in the New Territories.

26. There were 15,284 emergency calls involving 16,457 patients and 16,772 removals with 21,061 patients involved. The total mileage for both services was 308,211 for the whole period under review. Charges were made for removals and the revenue collected amounted to $36,400.00.

27. Compared with the previous year, emergency calls registered an increase of 3,387 calls received and 3,545 patients removed whilst removals showed a decrease of 3.138 calls and 7,999 patients respectively. A detailed summary of calls received and number of patients involved is shown in Appendix III.

REWARDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

28. An impressive ceremony was held at Central Fire Station on Tuesday the 31st January, 1956 when four members of the public were presented with letters of appreciation and cash rewards by Mr. W. J. Gorman, the Chief Officer, Fire Brigade. The recipients were Messrs. Pak Keung, Wong Ying Li, Chan Ming and Cheng Kwan, residents of the Shaukiwan District who rendered valuable assistance in the rescue work at a fire at Nos. 295-297 Main Street West, Shaukiwan on the 9th December, 1955 before the arrival of the Police and Fire Brigade. Their assistance in the rescue work was very valuable, and without it two Chinese women might have lost their lives in the fire.

TRAINING

29. Brigade personnel received regular training which in- cluded lectures in firemanship in addition to practical drills. The initial training of recruits was undertaken by the Training School at Kowloon Fire Station and later at Central Fire Station.

10