ENG-2015 — Page 321

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Public Order

improve business friendliness, efficiency and transparency without compromising fire safety. It also takes enforcement action against fire hazards in licensed/registered premises to enhance public safety.

The Fire Service Installations Task Force monitors the status of FSI in all buildings and strengthens public awareness of the need to maintain FSI in efficient working order. In 2015, the task force made 60,978 FSI inspections and issued 2,906 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices. It took legal action against 23 owners of defective FSI and one FSI contractor for regulatory contraventions.

The department combats illicit fuelling activities prohibited under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the Dangerous Goods Regulations and the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation. It formed an Anti-illicit Fuelling Activities Task Force in January 2015 to curb illicit fuelling activities in an efficient and effective manner through strategic planning and exchange of intelligence with the Customs and Excise Department. By the end of 2015, the task force had conducted 1,128 inspections. Legal action was taken against 120 suspected offenders involving 424,835 litres of diesel.

Appliances and Equipment

The department has 1,023 fire appliances, ambulances and supporting vehicles and 21 fire vessels to provide firefighting, rescue and emergency ambulance services.

New Developments

The department continues to plan and build fire stations and ambulance depots to cope with the territory's development and service needs, and to adhere to the government's policy of providing the fastest response possible to emergencies. In April 2015, the new Sheung Shui Ambulance Depot at Choi Shun Street came into operation.

The Fire Services Training School in Pat Heung has been in use since 1968. To meet advances in technology and firefighting and rescue techniques, the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O, under construction since 2012, will be commissioned in early 2016.

Public Liaison

A public liaison group comprising 30 members of the public from different walks of life are appointed annually to encourage public participation in monitoring and improving the delivery of emergency fire and ambulance services.

Government Flying Service

The Government Flying Service provides a wide range of flying services, including round-the- clock search and rescue coverage, casualty and medical evacuation, firefighting and support for other government departments.

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