FSD ready for the storm

June 29, 2019

Unique drills:

The Fire Services Department has promoted swift water rescue training since 2010 to improve frontline members’ rescuing skills.

Rescue expertise:

Six department members have been training other frontline personnel after completing a four-week training course in the UK in 2016. (Courtesy of Fire Services Department)

Geared up:

Tools and equipment, including a personal flotation device that gives rescuers more flexibility, will enhance the efficiency and safety of department staff under extreme weather.

Minimising risk:

Rescuers can also use reach and rescue poles to quickly extend life-saving equipment to victims in the water to reduce their risk of drowning.

Co-ordinated efforts:

An inter-departmental tabletop exercise held by the Security Bureau in May has tested the Government’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for typhoons.

Public awareness:

Tropical storms usually affect Hong Kong from May to November. Fire Services Department Deputy Chief Officer Derek Armstrong Chan (second right) reminds residents to be aware of flooding black spots.

Download Video| Transcript

Voiceover:
Super typhoon Mangkhut was the fifth tropical cyclone to hit Hong Kong last year. 

Mangkhut injured over 400 people, caused road blockages and destroyed more than 60,000 trees.

The Fire Services Department deployed about 150 members of the High Angle Rescue Team. It also utilised the Urban Search & Rescue Team and Special Support Unit to respond to more than 1,200 special service calls during the storm's passage.

To ready itself for this year’s typhoon season, the department joined an inter-departmental tabletop exercise held by the Security Bureau in May to test the Government’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for typhoons.

Fire Services Department Deputy Chief Officer Derek Armstrong Chan:
After the super typhoon, the Fire Services Department has strengthened our training and our members’ knowledge on working under the influence of (a) typhoon. This includes organising and co-organising lectures, organising and participating in drills and providing more relevant training to our frontline members. This will not only enhance their operational competence but also their safety when carrying out rescue operations in extreme weather.

Voiceover:
The department has promoted swift water rescue training since 2010 to boost frontline members’ rescuing skills. These members saved about 160 residents in Aberdeen and Tai O during Mangkhut’s passage.

Fire Services Department Deputy Chief Officer Derek Armstrong Chan:
For long-term development of our swift water rescue techniques, a total of six divers in our diving unit were sent to the UK in September 2016, where they had completed a four-week training course. Having obtained the internationally recognised qualifications, they are now providing relevant training to our frontline members.

Voiceover:
To prepare for the threat of an increased occurrence of extreme weather in the future, the department introduced new tools and equipment to enhance the efficiency and safety of its members.

These include a personal flotation device that gives rescuers more flexibility than ordinary life jackets.

Rescuers can also use reach and rescue poles to quickly extend life-saving equipment to victims in the water and reduce their risk of drowning.

Tropical storms affect Hong Kong from May to November and can cause flooding in low-lying areas. The department reminded residents to pay attention to flooding black spots.

Super typhoon Mangkhut was the fifth tropical cyclone hitting Hong Kong last year. It injured over 400 people, caused road blockages and destroyed more than 60,000 trees.

The Fire Services Department deployed about 150 members from three specialised units to respond to more than 1,200 special service calls during the storm’s passage.

To ready itself for this year’s typhoon season, the department has enhanced training, especially in swift water rescue skills, for frontline members.

It also joined an inter-departmental tabletop exercise held by the Security Bureau in May to test the Government’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for typhoons.

Fire Services Department Deputy Chief Officer Derek Armstrong Chan said the department has strengthened its training programme and members’ knowledge of working under the influence of a typhoon.

“This includes organising and co-organising lectures, organising and participating in drills and providing more relevant training to our frontline members.

“This will not only enhance their operational competence but also their safety when carrying out rescue operations in extreme weather.”

Life-saving techniques

The department has promoted swift water rescue training since 2010 to boost frontline members’ rescuing skills. These members saved about 160 residents in Aberdeen and Tai O during Mangkhut’s passage.

Mr Chan said: “For long-term development of our swift water rescue techniques, a total of six divers in our diving unit were sent to the UK in September 2016, where they had completed a four-week training course.

“Having obtained the internationally recognised qualifications, they are now providing relevant training to our frontline members.”

To face the threat of increasingly extreme weather, the department introduced tools and equipment to enhance the efficiency and safety of its members.

These include a personal flotation device that gives rescuers more flexibility than ordinary life jackets.

Rescuers can also use reach and rescue poles to quickly extend life-saving equipment to victims in the water and reduce their risk of drowning.

Tropical storms usually affect Hong Kong from May to November and can cause flooding in low-lying areas. The department reminded residents to be aware of flooding black spots.