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on July 5 after the refugees had been assured by the local representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that they were not forgotten and that everything possible was being done to expedite their resettlement.

The Save the Children Fund joined the Salvation Army and World Relief in providing social services in closed centres and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees continued to meet the considerable cost of food, medical supplies, utilities and relief items.

Fire Services

In 1984, the Fire Services Department responded to 244 778 emergencies, involving 14 280 fire calls, 8 992 special service calls and 221 506 emergency ambulance calls. Fires caused 49 deaths, and left a further 715 people injured, including 82 firemen. Some 1 176 persons were rescued by the Fire Services. There were 4 189 false alarms: the great majority were raised with good intent, either by the public or by over-sensitive or defective automatic alarm systems, particularly smoke detectors.

Buildings and Quarters

Under the government's policy of providing an emergency response to all areas within minimum set times according to the category of risk, two new fire stations were commissioned during the year. These were at Tai O on Lantau Island and Sai Wan Ho on Hong Kong Island. The existing fire station at Sai Kung was reprovisioned. To meet the increasing demand for ambulance services, three new ambulance depots were commis- sioned. These were at Fanling and Tsing Yi in the New Territories and at Sai Wan Ho on Hong Kong Island. There are now 46 fire stations, 18 ambulance depots and five fireboat stations in the territory.

At the end of the year, more than 1 996 staff quarters were occupied or available for occupation. Planning was in hand for 50 officers' married quarters and 1 726 additional married quarters for firemen and ambulancemen at five selected sites.

Fire Prevention

The department is responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations. It also advises and assists all sections of the community concerning fire protection measures generally and in the abatement and elimination of fire hazards. The Fire Protection Bureau plays an important role in educating the public on fire prevention. Publicity campaigns launched during the year increased the community's awareness of fire safety, resulting in requests for more fire prevention lectures, exhibitions and demonstrations from kaifong associations, rural com- mittees, schools and community groups. The 8 323 complaints received from members of the public were an indication of the level of public concern over potential fire hazards and of a growing awareness of the services provided by the department. Fire Services personnel made 205 883 inspections of all types of premises and, where fire hazards were found, abatement notices were issued. In 1984, there were 2 954 prosecutions for non-compliance with abate- ment notices, resulting in fines amounting to $1.28 million. All new building plans are vetted by the department, which specifies the requirements for built-in fire protection and advises on related matters. More than 7 435 new building plans were processed. The department is also responsible for carrying out research into matters associated with fire safety.

Ambulance Service

The Fire Services Department operates the government's ambulance service with a strength of 1 681 in all ranks of uniformed staff, and 129 civilian employees. The service operates 198