ENG-2020 — Page 308

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Public Order

buildings, initiating fire safety inspections and raising public awareness of emergency preparedness.

In 2020, the command vetted 19,178 building plans, including those for tunnels and bridges, handled 718 submissions in relation to matters such as building plans and fire engineering reports, and offered fire safety advisory services on 1,068 occasions concerning the development of Hong Kong International Airport.

On railway infrastructure projects, the command formulates fire safety requirements and recommendations, and scrutinises the associated consultancy study reports, building plans and technical drawings of fire service installations (FSIs). In 2020, the command handled 2,425 submissions and also carried out 2,515 acceptance inspections of FSIs at new railway projects (including the Shatin to Central Link) and of alterations, additions and extensive station improvement works for the existing lines.

The Fire Safety Command draws up strategies to prepare for emergencies such as natural disasters or terrorist attacks, and to strengthen the public's capacity to respond. This includes enhancing public knowledge of fire safety and prevention and life support measures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators.

The Licensing and Certification Command regulates the manufacture, storage, conveyance and use of dangerous goods and takes enforcement action against related offences. In 2020, it issued or renewed 4,391 storage licences for dangerous goods or timber, and 1,967 dangerous goods vehicle licences. The command also works with other law enforcement agencies to combat illicit fuelling. During the year, the Anti-illicit Fuelling Activities Task Force carried out 879 inspections and 102 planned operations, handled 214 complaints, seized over 235,000 litres of illicit fuel and instituted prosecution in 81 cases.

The command plays an important role in ensuring building fire safety. It monitors the status of FSIs in buildings, handles complaints and oversees the professional standards of registered FSI contractors. In 2020, the command conducted 62,637 compliance inspections of FSIs in new buildings and developments, and another 67,615 inspections of existing FSIs. It issued 3,147 fire hazard abatement notices against irregularities found and took legal action against 188 owners of defective FSIs and registered FSI contractors for regulatory contraventions.

In addition, the command formulates and enforces fire safety policies for licensed premises and takes enforcement action against fire hazards. It advises licensing authorities on fire protection and carries out fire safety compliance certification relating to the licensing and registration of food premises, places of public entertainment, places of public amusement, converted schools, child care centres, massage establishments, private columbaria, electronic waste disposal facilities, drug treatment and rehabilitation centres and other types of premises. In 2020, it carried out 32,129 inspections of such premises and issued 1,363 fire hazard abatement notices.

Anti-pandemic Efforts

In 2020, the department played an important part in the government's anti-pandemic efforts, handling 7,557 calls relating to confirmed COVID-19 cases, involving over 2,600 ambulance and

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