ENG-1990 — Page 328

PUBLIC ORDER

As part of the continuous effort to ensure the effective use of ambulances, new guidelines on non-emergency ambulance transfers were introduced at the end of 1990 for private hospitals, homes for the aged, government and subvented hospitals.

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 fast and efficient fire-fighting and rescue operations can be carried out. In 1990, 92 new or replacement appliances and vehicles of various kinds were put into service. A mini-ambulance purchased specially for outlying islands, with a complete vehicle body built by the Fire Services Workshop, is now serving in Cheung Chau. Two more mini-ambulances are being purchased for Peng Chau and Lamma Island. The department is constantly evaluating new products from different parts of the world to see if they can be used in Hong Kong.

To maintain its fleet of fire appliances and rescue equipment, the department operates four workshops one on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon and one in the New Territories.

Communications

The Second Generation Mobilising System installed at the new Fire Services Com- munications Centre came into operation in October 1990. Costing over $90 million, this new computer-based system monitors the location and status of fire engines and am- bulances at all times. When an emergency occurs, the system will recommend which fire stations and appliances to alert, and will monitor the position and readiness of vehicles already on the road. The time taken to handle incoming emergency calls and despatch the fire appliances is cut to well under 60 seconds in most cases.

To improve the coverage of the present fire services radio system, three additional hilltop repeaters costing about $2.8 million at Castle Peak, Shek Uk Shan and Pottinger Peak were installed in October 1990 to tie in with the commissioning of the Second Generation Mobilising System.

Staff Training

Initial training for all ranks except Senior Firemen (Control) and Senior Firewomen. (Control) in the Mobilising and Communications stream are conducted at the Fire Services Training School at Pat Heung in the New Territories. The courses vary in content and range from three to 26 weeks in duration. During the year, 368 recruits, comprising 24 station officers, 214 firemen and 130 ambulancemen successfully completed their initial training. The school also conducted basic courses on fire-fighting and on the use of breathing apparatus for government departments and private organisations. Some 653 people attended these courses in 1990.

To meet operational needs and career development purposes, nine officers were sent abroad to attend various management and professional training courses. For in-service training, 112 principal firemen and senior firemen and 27 firemen attended operational command and advanced diving courses respectively. A total of 1 438 ambulance personnel also participated in various ambulance-aid refresher and proficiency courses as well as defibrillation training. The Driving Training School conducted appliance driving and operation courses for 1 165 officers and other ranks during the year.

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