328 | Public Order
At the end of 2009, a total of 102 895 people were trained as Fire Safety Ambassadors (FSA) and 300 community leaders were appointed as FSA Honorary Presidents.
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. It continued to work with the Efficiency Unit and Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit to further streamline the licensing process.
The Fire Service Installation Task Force has further stepped up monitoring fire. safety in buildings and continued to bolster public awareness of the need for fire service installations (FSIs) and equipment in buildings. A total of 99 129 inspections were made in 2009 with 2 479 FHANS issued. Legal action was taken against 18 owners of defective FSIs and five contractors for contravening relevant regulations.
The department adopted a four-pronged approach to improving fire safety in some old buildings in densely-populated areas such as Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Wan Chai in 2009. It enlisted the help of the District Fire Safety Committees, comprising members of the public, FSA and civic leaders to promote fire safety in old buildings; stepped up inspections of old buildings to eradicate potential fire hazards; revisited buildings that were found to have potential fire hazards before; and encouraged the fire safety envoys to carry out checks regularly on buildings in their districts to make sure they are safe.
Appliances and Equipment
In 2009, the department had 864 fire appliances, ambulances and supporting vehicles. A fleet of 21 fireboats provided fire protection and rescue services within Hong Kong waters.
New Stations and Depots
The department continued to plan and build fire stations and ambulance depots to cope with the city's continuing development and growing service needs, and to adhere to the Government's policy of providing the fastest response possible to emergencies. During the year, the diving base on Stonecutters Island was commissioned to provide Fire Services divers with more professional diving training with the use of advanced equipment.
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. The group had 30 members from all walks of life in 2009.
Correctional Services
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) runs a comprehensive range of services for adult and young offenders, drug addicts and offenders with psychiatric problems. Its services fall broadly under two headings: prison management and rehabilitation of offenders.
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