Emergency Services Conduct Joint Fire and Mountain Rescue Exercise in Hong Kong's New Territories

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2024 held

An interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise was held this morning (November 29). Participating departments and organisations comprised the Fire Services Department (FSD); the Hong Kong Police Force; the Government Flying Service; the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the Auxiliary Medical Service; the Civil Aid Service; the Home Affairs Department; the Social Welfare Department; and the Hospital Authority.

The exercise was conducted at the MacLehose Trail at Shing Mun Reservoir in the New Territories. The FSD deployed about 90 fire and ambulance personnel in total for the exercise, and applied various innovative technologies including the Patient Tagging System for Multiple Casualties Incidents, the Mountain Rescue Mobile App, viewshed analysis and the Mobile Phone Locator to locate persons awaiting rescue and enhance the efficiency of mountain rescue operations.

The exercise aimed to enhance co-ordination, communication, command and control as well as logistical support capabilities among different departments and organisations during large-scale hill fire and mountain rescue operations. It also helped test the effectiveness and co-operation of different emergency formations during firefighting and rescue operations. Members of the District Fire Safety Committees and the District Services and Community Care Teams also attended the exercise as observers to assist in promoting hill fire prevention and safety awareness in mountaineering in the community.

The FSD called for public attention to the risk of possible vegetation fires, which could spread more severely and rapidly due to prevailing winds amid recent dry weather. The spokesman also urged the public not to leave any ignition sources during hiking activities and reminded them to evacuate to a safe place if they encounter a vegetation fire.

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 29) released the latest grading of water quality for 11 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming in November.

Eight beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and three as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Clear Water Bay Second Beach

Middle Bay Beach

Deep Water Bay Beach

Repulse Bay Beach

Golden Beach

Silver Mine Bay Beach

Lido Beach

Stanley Main Beach

Grade 2 beaches are:

Big Wave Bay Beach

Silverstrand Beach

Casam Beach

Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.

Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.

A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).