The Fire Services Department today demonstrated the work of its HazMat Team, which is specially trained to handle hazardous materials.
The team reconstructed a traffic accident involving cyanide leakage. Fire fighters demonstrated how they rescue the injured while dealing with the chemical spill.
Set up in 2012, the team is comprised of firefighting teams from four fire stations. More than 500 fire fighters have received the special training.
Fire Services Department Acting Divisional Commander Wong Ka-wing said every team member has received 13 days of HazMat training.
In the event of a dangerous goods spill, Government Laboratory chemists will join the team at the scene to provide support. They use portable detection devices to identify the chemicals.
Mr Wong said a licence is needed to store dangerous goods and up until July this year, 4,165 licences had been granted.
The department conducts on-site inspections and a risk assessment for every application. Last year it checked more than 4,700 licenced dangerous goods facilities.
