ENG-1980 — Page 202

PUBLIC ORDER

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The increasing number of complaints (9,143) received from members of the public was seen as an indication of the level of public concern over potential fire hazards and a grow- ing realisation of the services provided by the department.

Fire Services personnel made 322,265 inspections of all types of premises and, where fire hazards were found, abatement notices were issued. In 1980, there were 4,448 prosecu- tions for non-compliance with abatement notices resulting in fines amounting to $1,745,304. Major increases in the present maximum fines have been proposed.

All new building plans are vetted by the department, which specifies the requirements for built-in fire protection and advises on means of escape and other matters. More than 9,935 new plans were processed during the year.

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Research into matters associated with fire safety is continuously being carried out by the department. Fact-finding surveys of a non-technical nature are important to this research and university students are regularly employed to assist with this during their summer vacation. Over 9,026 unregistered factories operating in non-industrial premises were located in the most recent survey by students and action to tackle the identified problems was in progress during the year.

Ambulance Service

The Fire Services Department operates the government ambulance service with an author- ised strength of 1,169 in all ranks of uniformed staff, and 95 civilian employees. The service operates 135 ambulances from 12 ambulance depots throughout the territory and from many fire stations. During the year a total of 221,163 calls, involving 287,208 people, were handled – representing an average of 604 calls every 24 hours. This was an increase of 11 per cent in the number of calls compared with the total for 1979.

Facilities aboard the ambulances and new methods of treating patients are constantly under review. In addition to basic life-saving equipment, all ambulances are equipped with analgesic apparatus, piped oxygen, inflatable splints, spinal boards and special stretchers. Refresher training of personnel is a continuous process.

Appliances and Workshops

The Fire Services Department is equipped with more than 500 modern operational fire appliances, ambulances and vehicles fitted with up-to-date fire-fighting and rescue equipment.

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In 1980, 120 new or replacement appliances and units of various kinds were brought into service. Among the major appliances commissioned were two 16-metre hydraulic platforms, one 37-metre turntable ladder, an emergency feeding unit and 47 ambulances. An additional major fire boat intended to service Kwai Chung was under construction. When completed, the new boat will bring the total number of major fire boats to five and the overall total to seven.

To maintain the fleet of appliances and other equipment, the department operates three workshops located on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Training

Recruits are trained at the Fire Services Training School at Pat Heung in the New Terri- tories. The courses vary in content and last from eight to 26 weeks. During the year, 482 men successfully completed training; 33 were fire officers, 278 were firemen, and 271 were senior ambulancemen or ambulancemen. At the end of the year, 200 recruits of all ranks were still undergoing training at the school.