Hong Kong Fire Services Department
| Hong Kong Fire Services Department | |
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 Hong Kong City Office
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| Professional fire brigade | |
| Founding year: | 1868 |
| Locations: | 81 |
| Employee: | 10,701 |
| www.hkfsd.gov.hk | |
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department ( HKFSD , Chinese 消防 處 ) is the professional fire service responsible for the city of Hong Kong . The tasks of the HKFSD include fire fighting , technical assistance and emergency rescue on land and at sea.
history
Fire protection in Hong Kong had been organized by the state since 1846 and was subordinate to the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). An independent professional fire brigade was brought into being with the establishment of the Hong Kong Fire Service on May 9, 1868. Organizationally, however, this was still subordinate to the HKPF. The first head of the fire department was Charles May . He was responsible for 61 professional firefighters and around 100 volunteers. By 1922, the number of full-time workers had risen to 174, but the main burden of fighting the fire was still a large number of volunteer firefighters. During the Second World War , the professional fire brigade lost a large number of forces and equipment was also shipped to Japan under the Japanese occupation. This was only returned after the war.
“It shall be lawful for the Governor to select from the Police and any others volunteering for the duty a force to whom shall be entrusted the duty of extinguishing fire and protecting lives and properties in case of fire within this colony and to furnish the said force with such fire engines, hoses, accoutrements, tools and complements may be necessary for complete equipment for the said force or conducive to the efficient performance of their duties. The Force of Firemen established under this ordinance shall be called the Hong Kong Fire Brigade and shall be under the command of an officer to be called the Superintendent of the Hong Kong Fire Brigade ... ”
Until 1956, more personnel were hired and guards were built, but fire protection could not be adequately ensured because the city grew much faster. This was triggered by an investigation by David Trench (later governor of Hong Kong) in 1960. The trench report he worked out led to a far-reaching reorganization of the professional fire department. It was also renamed the Hong Kong Fire Services Department. The aim of the reorganization was to arrive at the emergency site within 6 minutes. That goal still applies today.
tasks
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department is responsible for fighting fires and protecting life, the environment and property in the event of fire and other hazards. This also includes preventive fire protection and the enforcement of fire protection regulations. In addition, fire protection education and prevention work are part of the fire brigade's area of responsibility.
As a special feature for a fire brigade based on the British model, the ambulance service has also been part of its area of responsibility since 1953 . The fire brigade is responsible for taking care of the injured and transporting them to the hospital.
organization
The Fire Service Department is headed by the Director of Fire Services, who is assisted by 17 senior officers. The further department is divided into eight departments with specific areas of responsibility:
- Operational Fire Command Hong Kong:
Responsible for fire fighting in Hong Kong and at sea. In addition, the regular control of fire-fighting equipment in buildings and companies is part of the area of responsibility. - Operational Fire Command Kowloon:
Responsible for the Kowloon operational area . - Operational Fire Command New Territories:
Responsible for the areas around Hong Kong. The arrival time of six minutes does not apply here. - Fire Safety Command and Licensing and Certification Command:
This is entrusted, among other things, with the creation of fire protection concepts, control and enforcement of fire protection regulations, development of fire protection regulations and other tasks in preventive fire protection. - Ambulance Command:
Organizes and carries out the rescue service. In addition, patient transports are handled between the hospitals. - Headquarters Command:
This takes care of the drafting of service instructions and provides organizational support to the various units of the FSD. It also takes on management tasks in operationally complex situations. - Administration Division:
Is entrusted with general administrative tasks and personnel management.
equipment
The training and equipment of the fire service was based on the UK system. Due to the high population density of Hong Kong and the associated large number of high-rise buildings over 20 floors, the fire brigade is particularly promoted and has the most modern equipment. This includes various Löschgruppenfahrzeuge and rescue vehicles , and aerial ladders , aerial rescue vehicles and special vehicles.
Various fire boats are also maintained for fighting ship fires .
reception
The Fire Services Department has been portrayed in various series and films:
- Burning Flame - A 1998 Television Broadcasts Limited series
- Burning Flame II - continuation of the series in 2002
- Burning Flame III - Another continuation of the series in 2009
- Lifeline - A film about FDS training from 1997
- FSD - A series from Radio Television Hong Kong in 2010
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d "History of the Hong Kong Fire Services" ( Memento of the original from January 11, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English), from www.hkfsd.gov.hk, accessed November 30, 2016.
- ↑ a b "Fire Services Department" (English; PDF , 256 KB), at www.jsscs.gov.hk, accessed on November 30, 2016.
- ↑ "World acclaim for Hong Kong Fire Services" (English; PDF , 300 KB), at www.csb.gov.hk, accessed on November 30, 2016
- ↑ a b "Fire Services Ordinance" (English; PDF , 300 KB), butugen on November 30, 2016
