ENG-2005 — Page 405

Public Order | 351

accordance with the no-gain, no-loss principle. Those facing hardship, such as the elderly or people with very low incomes, may apply for interest-free loans and longer repayment periods.

Pending implementation of the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance, the Building Improvement and Support Division continues to inspect old private composite and domestic buildings with a view to enhancing fire safety and advising owners and occupiers on the new standards.

The New Projects Division, in cooperation with the Buildings Department and other departments, is responsible for vetting new building plans including projects on mass transit systems, tunnels, bridges and at the airport. It also formulates fire protection requirements appropriate for particular premises and the risks involved. Some 11 116 submissions of building plans were processed during the year.

The Railway Development Strategy Division formulates and scrutinises fire safety requirements in respect of new railway infrastructure projects. Acceptance tests of fire service installations were carried out on the MTR Corporation's Disneyland Resort Line prior to its opening in July.

The Community Relations Section is responsible for enhancing the public's knowledge of fire safety and for coordinating publicity about fire prevention with other government departments and the District Fire Safety Committees. In 2005, 1 916 fire drills and 5 356 fire safety talks and seminars were conducted by the section and local fire stations.

To enlist more people to assist in reporting fire hazards and disseminating fire prevention messages, the Fire Safety Ambassador Scheme has been extended to 298 organisations, including schools, public transport companies, major property management companies, government departments, homes for the elderly and hotels. A total of 10 710 people were trained as Fire Safety Ambassadors during the year and Fire Safety Ambassador Clubs were set up in eight districts with 96 local community leaders appointed as honorary presidents.

A major fire prevention campaign focusing on household fire safety was launched on November 13 featuring a series of publicity activities, including fire safety messages broadcast on television and radio stations, and fire station open days. A mobile publicity unit promoting fire safety also toured schools and public housing estates.

The Licensing and Certification Command sets fire safety requirements for buildings and various types of licensed premises, as well as dangerous goods stores and vehicles, to ensure proper protection for the public. Fire Services personnel conducted 170 675 fire safety inspections and issued 3 219 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices requiring the removal of fire hazards. There were 600 prosecutions for contravention of the Fire Services Ordinance, the Dangerous Goods Ordinance and the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance, which resulted in fines totalling $1.25 million. Direct prosecutions for obstructing the means of escape in buildings resulted in 52 convictions, with fines totalling $246,300. Prosecutions for illicit fuel

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