ENG-1986 — Page 262

220

PUBLIC ORDER

The amendments tighten the legislation relating to the recurrence of fire hazard and provide a deterrent against the common, but dangerous, practices of causing obstructions to means of escapes and indiscriminate locking of fire exits.

Buildings and Quarters

Under the government policy to provide an emergency response to all areas within minimum set times according to the category of risk, two new fire stations were commissioned in 1986. These were at Shun Lee Estate and Tsim Sha Tsui East in Kowloon. An ambulance depot was also completed in Castle Peak Bay. There are now 48 fire stations, 19 ambulance depots and five fireboat stations in the territory. A new 12-storey Fire Services Headquarters building was completed in August 1986 in Tsim Sha Tsui East.

At the end of the year, more than 2 100 staff quarters were occupied or were available for occupation. Planning was in hand for 50 Officers' Married Quarters and 1 376 additional married quarters for firemen and ambulancemen at selected sites.

Fire Prevention

The department is responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations. It also advises and assists all sections of the community with regard to fire protection measures generally and in the abatement 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 committees, schools and community groups. The number of complaints - 7 446 – received from members of the public was seen as an indication of the level of public concern over potential fire hazards and a growing awareness of the services provided by the department. Fire Services personnel made 83 473 inspections of all types of premises and, where fire hazards were found, abatement notices were issued. In 1986, there were 1 500 prosecutions for non-compliance with abatement notices resulting in fines amounting to $1.2 million. All new building plans are vetted by the department, which specifies the requirements for built-in fire protection and advises on related matters. Some 8 555 new building plans were processed during the year. The department is also responsible for carrying out research into matters associated with fire safety.

Ambulance Services

The Fire Services Department operates the government ambulance service with a strength of 1 802 in all ranks of uniformed staff, and 136 civilian employees. The service operates 216 ambulances from 19 ambulance depots or stations throughout the territory and from many fire stations. During the year, 365 574 calls, involving 468 554 people, were handled representing an average of 1 001 calls every 24 hours. This was an increase of 9.5 per cent in the number of calls compared with the total for 1985.

-

Facilities on ambulances are constantly reviewed and all ambulances are equipped with analgesic apparatus, piped oxygen, inflatable splints, special stretchers and incubator- carrying capability.

Appliances and Workshops

The department has some 700 modern operational appliances and vehicles fitted with up-to-date fire-fighting and rescue equipment to ensure that fast and efficient fire-fighting and rescue operations can be carried out. In 1986, 28 new or replacement appliances and