Public Order | 331
safety as well as fire safety improvement works either on a voluntary basis or as required by law. A total of 3 573 applications for such aid have been approved.
The New Projects Division, in cooperation with the Buildings Department and other departments, is responsible for vetting new building plans including those for mass transit systems, tunnels, bridges and the airport. It also defines the fire protection needs of particular premises. A total of 12 488 building plans were vetted during the year.
The Railway Development Strategy Division defines and scrutinises the fire safety requirements of new railway infrastructure projects. Tests were carried out on fire service installations at the new Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, scheduled to go into operation in 2007.
The Community Relations Section is responsible for improving the public(s knowledge of fire safety and for coordinating publicity on fire prevention in collaboration with other government departments and the District Fire Safety Committees. In 2006, a total of 1713 fire drills and 5 942 fire safety talks and seminars were conducted by the section and 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 335 organisations. These include schools, public transport companies, major property management companies, government departments, homes for the elderly and hotels. A total of 12 815 people were trained as Fire Safety Ambassadors during the year. In addition, Fire Safety Ambassador Honorary Presidents( Associations have been set up in 14 districts with 189 community leaders appointed as honorary presidents since the scheme was set up in January 2005.
A major fire prevention campaign focusing on household fire safety was launched on December 10 featuring a series of publicity activities, including dissemination of fire safety messages on television and radio, and fire station open days. A mobile publicity unit promoting fire safety also toured schools and public housing estates.
The Licensing and Certification Command determines the fire safety needs of various types of licensed premises, as well as dangerous goods stores and vehicles, to ensure proper protection for the public. Fire Services personnel conducted 168 880 fire safety inspections and issued 2 488 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices. There were 486 prosecutions for contravention of the Fire Services Ordinance, the Dangerous Goods Ordinance and the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance, which resulted in fines totalling $1.3 million. Direct prosecutions for obstructing fire escape routes in buildings resulted in 44 convictions and fines totalling $251,101. Prosecutions for illicit fuel activities resulted in 103 convictions; the maximum penalty was $10,000 and imprisonment for four months.
The Fire Service Installation Task Force has stepped up monitoring efforts to improve building fire safety and create stronger public awareness of the need to maintain fire service installations and equipment in buildings. A total of
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