Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations) reviews Fire Services passing-out parade (with photos)

     The Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr Angus Wong, reviewed the Fire Services passing-out parade for 15 station officers, 68 firemen and 62 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (September 13).

     Speaking at the parade, Mr Wong encouraged the graduates to cultivate patriotism and national security awareness, apart from making all-out efforts to perform fire-fighting and rescue duties. He said that the Fire Services Department (FSD) fully supports the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance which officially took effect in March, and had established a steering committee to comprehensively promote activities on national affairs and national security.

     Mr Wong also encouraged the graduates to seize every opportunity for observation and exchange, continuously improve their professional standards and keep pace with the times. He mentioned the Fire Asia 2024 international conference held in Hong Kong in July. The FSD invited numerous experts in the fields of emergency rescue, paramedic services and fire engineering from around the world to exchange views and share experiences on various topics, such as disaster management, fire prevention strategies and emergency preparedness, with a view to jointly promoting rescue technology innovation and cross-regional co-operation.

     Mr Wong said, "The FSD has always been committed to integrating into the overall development of the country and has continuously deepened its ties with the fire and rescue brigades on the Mainland. With the signing of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Emergency Management Co-operation and Greater Bay Area Emergency Response Operation Co-operation Framework Agreement by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in June, the Greater Bay Area will further strengthen co-operation and exchanges on emergency responses. In order to enhance the level of emergency management and cross-border rescue effectiveness, the governments of the three places have also jointly formulated the Greater Bay Area Emergency Response Operational Plan. A joint exercise in Jiangmen was held in May to demonstrate the efficient deployment of rescue resources among the three places, with a view to achieving joint prevention and control and complementarity, as well as enhancing the efficiency of cross-boundary rescue efforts."

     Mr Wong also said that the FSD had been committed to fire prevention and public education, including improving the fire safety of old buildings and enhancing public awareness on fire prevention and emergency preparedness.

     The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 145 graduates will be posted to various fire stations and ambulance depots.