Human Resources Management
FSD personnel undergo training
Establishment The Department has an establishment of 10 043 at the end of 2013, comprising 9 347 uniformed and 696 civilian members. Finance In the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years, the total expenditure of the Department amounted to HK$4 483 million and HK$ 4 691 million respectively, representing 1.5% and 1.4% of the total government expenditure of the relevant years. Recruitment In 2013, a total of 385 people were recruited after stringent selection processes, including 71 Station Officers (Operational), 16 Ambulance Officers, two Station Officers (Control), 13 Senior Firemen (Control), 139 Firemen (Operational/Marine) and 144 Ambulancemen. Visitors are briefed on the work of FSD at the Career Expo 62
Training and Development Fire Services Training School The Fire Services Training School provides 26 weeks initial residential training to recruit Station Officers and Firemen. A wide curriculum for the initial training includes basic firefighting techniques, the use of appliances and equipment, fire behaviour training, breathing apparatus, basic ambulance aid, physical training, fire protection, legislation, physics and science of combustion. In 2013, 57 recruit Station Officers and 73 recruit Firemen had completed the basic training. The Under Secretary for Security, Mr Lee Ka-chiu (centre), reviews a passing-out parade at the Fire Services Training School Hong Kong Fire Services Department Review 2013 63
Initial training to Senior Firemen/Firewomen (Control), Firemen (Workshops) and induction training to in-service appointed Station Officers (Control) is provided by the training school. During the year, two in-service appointed Station Officers (Control), 13 recruit Senior Firemen/ Firewomen (Control) and 11 recruit Firemen (Workshops) had completed their training. Fire personnel undergoing training on firefighting The school also provides training to foreign counterparts and private organisations on fire investigation, high-rise building firefighting and basic firefighting techniques. In 2013, 16 fire fighters from Bangkok and eight fire officers from Macao and 950 persons from private organisations had completed the training. The Department has continued to provide various kinds of Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) to Service members. In 2013,143 operational members had attained the Compartment Fire Attacker (CFA) qualification, 130 recruits had completed the Induction Course and 627 serving operational members had received Refresher and Assessment (R&A) Course. 64
In 2013, a tailor-made CFBT Intermediate Course was launched with a view to providing the advanced CFBT techniques to Probationary Station Officers. In 2013, 52 Probationary Station Officers had attended such training. With a view to strengthening the firefighting capability in major and prolonged fire incidents and to implementing postincident fire safety programme, an Incident and Fire Safety Support Unit (IFSSU) was established in 2013. The IFSSU, headed by a Senior Station Officer or Station Officer, comprises mainly of operational members who will attend the CFA and R&A Courses conducted in the Fire Services Training School regularly. In 2013, 2 743 operational members were deployed as its members.the school also co-organised with the Education Bureau an Enhanced Smart Teen Challenge Project. This programme aims at providing discipline, leadership and fire protection training to secondary school students. In 2013, 780 students and 51 teachers enrolled in this programme. Firefighters from Thailand picture with FSD officers after completing a training course at the Fire Services Training School Hong Kong Fire Services Department Review 2013 65
Fire Services Ambulance Command Training School The Fire Services Ambulance Command Training School provides ambulance aid and specialised paramedic training to ambulance personnel of different ranks and fire personnel. Newly recruited Ambulance Officers and Ambulancemen Ambulancewomen will undergo a 26-week initial training, which comprises basic paramedic knowledge and skills, legislation, emotional intelligence, customer service, foot drills, discipline training, physical fitness and on-car attachment. Upon completion of the course, the recruits will be posted to ambulance depots.experienced ambulance personnel will be selected to attend a 21-week Emergency Medical Assistant II (EMA II) Training Course and successful candidates will be qualified as EMA II. This qualification, accredited by the Paramedic Academy and, Justice Institute of British Columbia, is required to be revalidated every three years. The school provides training to fire personnel, such as the Basic Ambulance Aid Training for the new recruits and the Advanced Ambulance Aid Training at First Responders Level. The school also arranges free Community Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation training for the public. As at the end of 2013, 28 680 citizens had been trained. Ambulance personnel undergo training at Fire Services Ambulance Command Training School 66
West Kowloon Rescue Training Centre The West Kowloon Rescue Training Centre provides continuous training programme to strengthen the skills of fire personnel in tackling different types of fire and incidents. The Centre is equipped with a wide variety of advanced training facilities including search and rescue at simulated tunnel and maze as well as live fire training in various situations. A total of 3 472 members attended the training in 2013. To strengthen the rescue techniques of frontline fire personnel, the Department provides basic training comprising four modules, namely Mountain Rescue, High Angle Rescue, Road Traffic Accident Rescue and Swift Water Rescue. In 2013, the total attendance in various modules of training was 420. With a view to maintaining the standard skill of the Special Rescue Squad (SRS) members, a SRS Revalidation Programme was launched since April 2012. During the year, a total of 439 SRS members have attended the programme. Demonstration of rescue operations by firemen and ambulancemen at the West Kowloon Rescue Training Centre Legislative Council members and reporters experience the situation of flashover in a simulated fire scene in the West Kowloon Rescue Training Centre Hong Kong Fire Services Department Review 2013 67
Training on Management and Development For career development, 1 326 Service members attended various courses on management, leadership, communication and China studies organised by the Civil Service Training and Development Institute in 2013. During the year, 36 members attended various overseas training programmes in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Thailand and Singapore. Incident Command Training In order to enhance the capability of frontline fire personnel in handling fire and emergency incidents, an Incident Command Training Programme on Firefighting in Highrise Building using training software of Fire Studio 4.0 and Advanced Disaster Management Simulator was conducted to the recruits of Fire Services Training School. A total of 261 Recruit Station Officers and Firemen had received the training in 2013. Physical Training The Physical Training Establishment (PTE) provides physical training and promotes sports activities for Service personnel so as to maintain their good physical condition. Physical training is provided for fire personnel to maintain their good physical condition 68
The annual Physical Fitness Assessment for Service members consists of two parts Aerobic Run and Strength Test. In 2013, of the 7 933 Service members took part in the assessment, 31.8% achieved the top grading of 1/A and only about 1.3% were required to be reassessed. PTE staff are often deployed to assist in organising and act as officials at Service sports events such as athletic meets, swimming galas and cross country runs. Moreover, they are often invited by local and international sports associations to act as officials for sports events such as the Trailwalker competitions. They also represent the Department to participate in charitable events competitions such as the Hong Chi Climbathon, MTR Hong Kong Race Walking and PACER Health Fitness Challenge. Specialist Teams and Interest Groups Stress Counselling Team The Stress Counselling Team was set up to help colleagues alleviate stress caused by incidents and work. The team comprises more than 100 trained voluntary members providing stress counselling service to members. Service Disciplinary Team A Service Disciplinary Team (SDT) comprising 289 trained voluntary officers has been set up since January 2009. In order to maintain high standard of output in the disciplinary proceedings, a Disciplinary Advisory Group under SDT was set up for sharing of knowledge and provision of guidance to SDT members. Hong Kong Fire Services Department Review 2013 69
The Fire Investigation Group provides support for investigation into the causes of fire Fire Investigation Group The Fire Investigation Group provides professional support for investigation into the causes of fire. The team comprises interested frontline officers who voluntarily take up the responsibility. In 2013, 10 fire investigators were turned out for fire investigations. Besides, 17 frontline fire officers were recruited as fire investigators during the year. A series of refresher courses were organised for them to enhance their knowledge of fire investigation. On the other hand, five fire investigators had attended overseas courses of specialist fire investigation. 70
"Tunneling and Underground Space Technology" Fire Engineering Interest Group To enrich fire engineering knowledge among Service members, a Fire Engineering Interest Group was established in November 2010. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the interest group organised a joint Mentorship programme to foster members professionalism in fire engineering subjects since 2011. Five mentees conducted scientific researches on fire safety matters in supertall buildings, caverns, domestic sprinklers, tunnels and atriums. A research paper regarding fire safety strategies for supertall buildings in Hong Kong was published by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Journal in 2013, while a paper of fire safety strategies for existing rock caverns in Hong Kong is being reviewed by an international journal, the "Tunneling and Underground Space Technology". To share the research findings with different stakeholders, Continuing Professional Development Seminars about domestic sprinklers and tunnels will be jointly held by FSD in early 2014. Fire Appliances Cabin and Locker Design Modification Interest Group The Interest Group in Fire Appliances cabin and locker Design/Modification encourages members to contribute their views on improving cabin and locker design and efficiency of operation. In 2013, the Group offered their valuable opinions in the Cabin and locker design of the newly procured Hydraulic Platform. Fire Appliance Interest Group The Interest Group in Fire Appliance enhances members interest in fire appliances and keeps track of their latest design. In 2013, the interest group offered their views on the newly procured Hydraulic Platform. Hong Kong Fire Services Department Review 2013 71
Welfare The Fire Services Welfare Officer (FSWO) advises on welfare matters affecting Service members, including injury, sickness, housing, financial and domestic difficulties. Apart from liaising with Government departments and other agencies on matters relating to the welfare of Service members, FSWO also arranges visits to hospitalised members, and organises and implements staff welfare schemes. In 2013, FSWO interviewed and counselled 173 serving and retired members and their families on personal and domestic affairs. Staff Relations There are well-established channels of communication within the Department to encourage regular dialogue between the management and staff. These communication channels include the Fire Services Departmental Consultative Committee, the Staff Relations Units of Commands and Divisions, and the Civilian Staff Consultative Committee. These committees and staff relations units provide useful forums for the exchange of views between the management and staff on matters of common interest. To better understand the needs of frontline Service members, the Deputy Director pays visits to frontline units to communicate with staff of different ranks directly and meets with staff associations regularly to discuss issues affecting their work, benefits, conditions of service and well-being. He also holds discussions with staff as required to seek their views on new management initiatives and disseminate information on matters of interest. Sports and Recreation The Department always strives to encourage members to strike a balance between work and family life in order to meet the demanding requirements on physical fitness and mental strength as emergency responders. In this regard, the Hong Kong Fire Services Sports and Welfare Club organises various sports events, interest groups, recreational and social activities. 72
A holistic interest group aims at promoting members' awareness in Healthy Life Style was established in the year and gained full support from both serving and retired members as well as their families. In addition, various interest groups and sports group members also participate in external sports and cultural activities with encouraging results. (From left) FSD members participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics 2013, FSD Swimming Gala and Cross Country Run Hong Kong Fire Services Department Review 2013 73