ENG-2014 — Page 325

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Public Order

The use of Digital Trunked Radio System ensures effective and efficient radio communication at scenes of incidents.

Fire Safety

The Fire Safety Command draws up fire safety policies and formulates fire safety measures for buildings and mass transit systems. It also devotes much of its efforts to upgrade fire safety in old buildings, vet loan applications for fire safety improvement works and raise public awareness of fire safety. The command's two Building Improvement Divisions enforce the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance and the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance and investigate reports of fire hazards in buildings. The Special Enforcement Unit conducts proactive inspections of old buildings and takes enforcement action against irregularities.

A Building Fire Safety Envoy Scheme trains owners or occupiers of buildings and staff of property management companies as envoys to help promote fire safety in buildings. At the end of 2014, 4,956 envoys had been trained.

The New Projects Division, in collaboration with the Buildings Department (BD) and other departments, vets new and amended building plans, including those for the mass transit system, tunnels, bridges and the airport. It also defines the fire protection needs of certain premises. In 2014, the division vetted 14,026 buildings plans.

The Railway Development Strategy Division scrutinises the railway infrastructure's fire safety requirements and carries out acceptance inspections of fire service installations (FSI) of new railway projects (such as the West Island Line). The Support Division formulates, reviews and updates departmental policies on improving fire safety in buildings and strengthening public understanding of the need for fire safety. The division collaborated with Radio Television Hong Kong in producing a new weekly radio programme in 2014 to enhance public knowledge of fire and ambulance services.

By the end of 2014, 143,119 people had been trained as Fire Safety Ambassadors (FSA) and 341 community leaders had been appointed as FSA Honorary Presidents.

The department adopts a four-pronged approach (publicity, enforcement, checking and partnership) to tackle fire hazards in old buildings proactively and comprehensively. In 2014, this approach was applied to 21 buildings and it has been applied to a total of 184 target buildings since 2008.

To enhance fire safety of old buildings, the FSD and BD have commenced a joint operation to inspect the common means of escape of about 6,500 target buildings and take enforcement action to eradicate potential fire hazards. By March 2014, all target buildings had been inspected. Other irregularities such as change of land use were also referred to relevant departments for follow-up.

The department continues to promote fire safety awareness among owners, occupiers and property management staff of old buildings and takes enforcement action in those buildings.

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