ENG-1999 — Page 375

PUBLIC ORDER

and private organisations on basic fire-fighting techniques and the use of breathing apparatus. Arrangements were also made for 6 678 members of the public to visit the training school.

The Ambulance Command Training School provides a 24-week basic training programme for recruit ambulancemen on ambulance aid, anatomy and physiology, mountain rescue and physical training; cardiac-pulmonary resuscitation training for the staff of homes for the elderly and paramedic training at Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) II level. Paramedic training covers patient assessment, intravenous fluid therapy, defibrillation, intubation and administration of selected drugs. By the end of the year, 289 ambulance personnel had been qualified at EMA II level. To cope with the increase in demand for emergency ambulance services, the school trained 162 recruits during the year. It also ran five refresher and recertification courses for 1 171 ambulance personnel.

In-service training was provided to 1 562 fire and 1 020 ambulance personnel, while 33 officers were selected to attend various overseas training programmes in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Canada as well as the Mainland. The department recruited and appointed 31 Station Officers, 166 Firemen and 66 Ambulancemen during the year.

Buildings and Quarters

In line with the Government's policy to provide an emergency response to all areas within minimum set times according to category of risk, the department has continued to plan and build fire stations and ambulance depots at strategic locations to cope with local development.

During the year, Pak Tin Ambulance Depot was commissioned. Fu Tei, Sandy Bay and Ma Wan fire stations were under construction and scheduled for completion between 2000 and 2001.

The department manages 3954 departmental quarters, of which 3 683 are for uniformed members of the rank-and-file.

Public Liaison Group

The Public Liaison Group was set up to encourage public participation in monitoring and improving the delivery of emergency fire and ambulance services. Thirty members of the public from all walks of life were randomly selected from among about 100 applicants to form the group's sixth-term membership during the year.

Correctional Services

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) administers a wide range of services. for adult and young offenders, drug addicts and offenders with psychiatric problems. The services fall broadly under two programme areas prison management and reintegration into society.

In 1999, the CSD managed 24 correctional institutions, four halfway houses, a reception centre for Vietnamese illegal immigrants and two custodial wards in public hospitals. In all, 6 978 staff were looking after a daily average of 11 321 inmates, 334 illegal immigrants and 3 193 persons under supervision after discharge from custody.

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