Fire Services
The Fire Services Department fights fires, protects life and
property in case of fire and other calamity, provides
emergency ambulance services and gives fire protection
advice to the public.
The department's establishment of 8 592 staff comprised
7 847 uniformed and 745 civilian members. It is one of the
world's finest fire brigades, with well-trained personnel,
advanced communication systems, and modern equipment and
appliances.
The department responded to 35 543 fire calls, 20 899 special
service calls and 438 247 ambulance calls during 1997,
representing an average of 1 200 calls a day. January was the
busiest month, with six No. 3 alarm fires and more than 370
vegetation fires reported.
The department made significant advances during the year,
despite heavy operational commitments. These included the
launching of a 'Fire Safety Ambassador' scheme in May to
give members of the community fire safety training, the
establishment in September of a Community Relations Unit
within the Fire Protection Command with a view to
strengthening community relations and fire safety education,
and the full commissioning of the computer-aided Trunked
Radio System which provides more radio channels and
restricts unauthorised users from intruding into the system.
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