ENG-1994 — Page 382

PUBLIC ORDER

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Appliances and Equipment

The department operates some 670 appliances and vehicles, fitted with up-to-date fire- fighting and rescue equipment. During the year, 32 new or replacement appliances and vehicles of various kinds were put into service.

The Workshops Section of the department, which is responsible for all engineering matters relating to fire appliances and equipment, constantly evaluates new products from different parts of the world.

The safety of service members in fire-fighting and rescue operations is a prime concern of the department, which continuously reviews and updates the existing equipment. An improved model of protective fire helmet was issued to all fire personnel on operational duties in May, replacing the old model which had been in use for more than 20 years. Protective trousers, which can help shield fire-fighters from burns and injuries, were procured and distributed to members early in the year.

Decompression Treatment

The department took over the operation of the decompression chamber from the Royal Navy in April.

A new, three-compartment, chamber was installed at HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island. Trained operators and officers are on call round-the-clock to provide treatment to patients suffering from decompression illness. They are assisted by occupational health officers from the Labour Department.

Staff Training

The department has two major training schools. The Fire Services Training School at Pat Heung, New Territories, provides initial training for all ranks, except senior firemen and firewomen (control) in the mobilising and communications group. The Ambulance Command Training School at Ma On Shan provides initial, refresher and advanced training to all ambulance personnel. The various training courses range from three to 26 weeks in duration.

Altogether, 267 recruits - comprising 16 station officers, 14 senior firemen and fire- women (control), 231 firemen and six firemen (workshop) — successfully completed initial training in 1994.

The training schools also offered courses to 1 182 staff of other government departments and private organisations on basic fire-fighting, rescue techniques and basic ambulance aid. Training sessions were also provided to fire and police officers from Brunei, Thailand and Macau during the year.

To meet operational needs and for career development purposes, 23 officers were sent to China, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States for management and professional training. In-service training was provided for 2 034 fire and 1 523 ambulance personnel.

The department continued its recruitment exercises during the year, with the appointment of 33 station officers, 17 senior firemen and firewomen (control) and 112 firemen.

Following the successful recruitment of two female station officers in 1993, the department extended its recruitment of operational firemen to female applicants for the first time in July 1994.