Housing Secretary Lauds Fire Services at Passing-Out Parade for 144 New Officers, Emphasizes Safety and Technology Integration.

2024-11-22 21:00 Last Updated At：21:08

S for Housing reviews Fire Services passing-out parade

The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, reviewed the Fire Services passing-out parade for 16 station officers, nine ambulance officers, nine senior firemen/senior firewoman of the Mobilising and Communications Division, 95 firemen and 15 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (November 22).

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S for Housing reviews Fire Services passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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S for Housing reviews Fire Services passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speaking at the parade, Ms Ho expressed her gratitude to the Fire Services Department (FSD) for its full support rendered when the Government enhances speed and efficiency in increasing public housing supply. She appreciated that the FSD has maintained close communication with the Housing Bureau during the stages of approving plans and final works inspections, being target-oriented in serving the public. As a result, public housing residents in need can receive their flat keys earlier. Ms Ho also expressed her hope of continuously working closely with the FSD to ensure that the Basic Housing Units to be launched in future can enhance fire safety standards to benefit grassroots households.

Ms Ho said that she was pleased to learn that the FSD is keeping up with the times by applying technology in operations, such as utilising big data analysis and artificial intelligence in mountain search and rescue, as well as enhancing efficiency and personnel safety in firefighting. She also mentioned that the newly developed Virtual Fire Scene Incident Command Training System, which allows firefighters in training to be free from weather, location and time constraints, enables FSD personnel to exercise decision-making in areas such as command, planning and resources allocation. These measures are in line with the Government's efforts in developing a smart city and smart building.

Ms Ho added that fire and ambulance personnel not only step forward in firefighting and saving lives but also stay keen to participate in the promotion and education on fire safety and rescue. They raise public awareness of fire safety and equip the public to deal effectively with emergencies or contingencies. Such efforts are vital for safeguarding lives and ensuring public safety.

The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 144 graduates will be posted to various fire stations, ambulance depots and the Fire Services Communications Centre.

EPD Investigates T·PARK for Short-term Emission Standard Exceedances of Total Organic Carbon

2024-11-22 20:45 Last Updated At：20:58

EPD investigates short-term non-compliance with contract standards found in T·PARK's stack gas monitoring

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (November 22) that it is conducting an in-depth investigation into the short-term exceedance of emission standards of total organic carbon from T·PARK's flue stacks on a few occasions during the monitoring period from last October to this July.

The EPD has been taking very stringent monitoring on air emissions from all waste treatment facilities. During the monitoring period from last October to this July, the department found that some data of the total organic carbon from the flue stacks in T·PARK exceeded the emission standards under the contract in short term on a few occasions, including the half-hourly average concentration and the hourly average emission rate temporarily exceeding the emission standards, while the daily average concentration and emission rate maintained compliance with emission standards.

Total organic carbon is not a parameter under the statutory Air Quality Objectives. The contract between the EPD and the contractor of T·PARK has set emission standards for total organic carbon emitted by T·PARK's flue stacks, with a view to ensuring proper operation of the facility.

In addition to requesting more information from the contractor for investigations, the EPD deducted the operation fees for the incident according to the contract provisions. As the contractor had different views on whether the total organic carbon emitted by the facility itself had violated the contract provisions, it had appealed against the department's investigation and the penalty imposed. It also conducted its own investigation and tried to provide supplementary information, in an attempt to clarify the causes of short-term exceedance of standard in some of the monitoring data of total organic carbon. To ensure impartiality of the investigation, the EPD has suspended the release of data reports during the period. Nevertheless, the department has been closely monitoring all data, which showed that all other emission values (including dioxins, particulates, nitrogen oxides and other emission parameters) are in compliance with standards and requirements.

The latest contentious monitoring data was recorded in July this year. The incident is currently under final review and would soon be concluded. The EPD will upload all the data reports again for the relevant period once the investigation is completed.

Housing Secretary Lauds Fire Services at Passing-Out Parade for 144 New Officers, Emphasizes Safety and Technology Integration.

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