ENG-1992 — Page 326

PUBLIC ORDER

272

and effectively. This system assists the department to respond to about 85 per cent of all fire calls within the prescribed graded response time and to about 91 per cent of all emergency ambulance calls within the target travel time.

Staff Training

The Fire Services Training School at Pat Heung, New Territories, provides initial training for all ranks except senior firemen/firewomen (control) in the Mobilising and Commu- nications Group. In August 1992 a new Ambulance Training School at Ma On Shan in Sha Tin was established and took over the training of ambulance personnel. The various training courses range from three to 26 weeks in duration.

During the year, 272 recruits comprising 48 station officers, five senior firemen (control), seven senior firewomen (control), 167 firemen and 45 ambulancemen successfully completed their initial training.

The Fire Services Training School also provides training to 525 staff of other government departments and private organisations on basic fire-fighting and the use of breathing apparatus. In response to requests from fire services of other countries, the school also provides training for their officers.

To meet operational needs and for career development purposes, 12 officers were sent to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Japan for management and professional training. In-service training is provided for 216 fire and 1001 ambulance personnel. The Driving Training School conducted appliance driving and operation courses for 1 476 officers and other ranks during the year.

Establishment and Recruitment

As at the end of 1992, the establishment stood at 7 228 and 728 for uniformed and civilian staff respectively. The department continued its recruitment exercises with 65 station officers, 12 senior firemen/firewomen (control) and 310 firemen being appointed. Standards are high and on average only 13.5 per cent are accepted for appointment.

Buildings and Quarters

In line with government policy to provide an emergency response to all areas within minimum set times according to the category of risk, the department continues to plan and build fire stations and ambulance depots at strategic locations to cope with local developments.

During the year, Siu Lek Yuen Fire Station, Ma On Shan Fire Station, Ma On Shan Ambulance Depot and Ho Man Tin Ambulance Depot were completed to improve services in these areas. There are now 63 fire stations, 29 ambulance depots/stations and five fireboat stations in the territory. Planning is in hand for the provision of about 980 additional married quarters for firemen and ambulancemen.

Correctional Services

The Correctional Services Department administers a wide range of programmes for both adult and young offenders, drug addicts and the criminally insane. Broadly, three categories of service are provided custodial, after-care and industries. In addition, the department also manages detention centres for Vietnamese migrants.