Inter-departmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2018 held (with photos)
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The participating departments and organisations were 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; the Hospital Authority; and the Lands Department. About 160 personnel from the participating departments and organisations took part in the exercise.
The exercise aimed to enhance co-ordination, communication, command and control as well as logistical support capabilities among different departments and organisations during hill fire and mountain rescue operations. It also tested the effectiveness and co-operation of different emergency formations during fire-fighting and rescue operations.
A spokesman for the FSD highlighted that the Chung Yeung Festival is approaching and many people will be engaged in grave sweeping or hiking activities. When Hong Kong was hit by Super Typhoon Mangkhut last month, many trees were uprooted. Coupling with dry weather in the recent days, some of these collapsed trees and branches still remain over the hillsides and would make a vegetation fire burn and spread more severely and rapidly. The spokesman urged the public not to leave any naked flames while taking part in the above-mentioned activities, and reminded them to take shelter in a safe place if they encounter a vegetation fire.
Ends/Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:35
Issued at HKT 16:35
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