The Fire Services Department will introduce new equipment to boost the performance and protection of firefighters and ambulancemen.
At a year-end press conference today, the department said it will issue new helmets early this year that offer more protection and flexibility to fire officers.
A new mobile casualty treatment centre will provide on-scene lifesaving treatment and emergency surgery capabilities to boost the survival rate of fire and accident casualties.
Other new equipment includes a mobile thermal night vision camera, a mobile chemical identifier, and new haemostatic medical supplies.
Delivering the year-end review, Director of Fire Services Lai Man-hin said firefighters’ equipment meets international standard and officers are trained in their use.
The department received 36,335 fire calls, 33,420 special service calls, and 747,437 ambulance calls last year. The response times all met its performance pledge.
He said the department will strive to complete the investigation into last year's Shek Kip Mei gas explosion as soon as possible.
The investigation report will be passed to Police to see whether the case should be referred to the Coroner, he added.
