FSD Launches Winter Disaster Preparedness Month with Over 100 Safety Activities and Inspections in Hong Kong

FSD launches Winter Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Promotional Month

The Fire Services Department (FSD) held a launching ceremony for the Winter Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Promotional Month at Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station today (December 6). The ceremony marks the start of over a hundred promotional activities and a series of fire safety inspections scheduled for this month. The promotional month is organised by the FSD and funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

The promotional month aims to disseminate four key messages among the public through various activities, namely "keep smoke stop doors closed", "prepare the 'three essentials' for fire escape", "annual inspection on fire service installations" and "safe use of lithium batteries and charging devices".

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Public Safety and Corporate Strategy), Mr Derek Armstrong Chan, expressed gratitude to the active support and participation of the 18 District Fire Safety Committees and the Fire Services Department Community Collaboration Network in disseminating disaster and emergency preparedness messages to the public. He also called on all sectors of society to continue the collaboration in upholding the spirit of "Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: A Priority for Life".

Mr Chan added that the FSD will soon launch a new FSD Community Emergency Responder scheme. Through the teaching of various fire prevention, firefighting, self-rescue, and escape skills, the FSD will impart comprehensive and practical knowledge of disaster and emergency preparedness to members of the public, so that they can respond effectively in emergencies such as drowning, traffic accidents, mountaineering accidents or cardiac arrest to save themselves and others.

The promotional month features a rich array of activities, with the 18 District Fire Safety Committees organising multiple local publicity events and actively mobilising community resources for focused promotion in various shopping malls and buildings. The FSD will also collaborate with various District Offices, District Fire Safety Committees and Fire Safety Ambassadors Honorary Presidents' Association (to be renamed as FSD Community Emergency Responder Honorary Presidents' Association to tie in with the launch of the new FSD Community Emergency Responder scheme) to organise disaster and emergency preparedness carnivals in various districts. The Department's publicity vehicle will also visit various districts to promote the messages among the public with short videos, leaflets and souvenirs.

The FSD is funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to implement the HKSAR Government Fire Services Department's Disaster Management Programme, with the Winter Disaster Emergency Preparedness Promotional Month being one of its initiatives.

FSD launches Winter Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Promotional Month Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FSD launches Winter Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Promotional Month Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FSD launches Winter Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Promotional Month Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FSD launches Winter Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Promotional Month Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD reminds hikers to pay attention to hiking safety during holidays

In light of the expected increase in hikers to country parks during the New Year holidays, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 31) urges hikers to pay attention to safety and to use the designated hiking trails managed and maintained by the AFCD.

The AFCD has placed information boards and directory signs at appropriate locations within the country parks. Warning signs have also been installed near dangerous areas in the country parks, reminding hikers not to enter those areas to avoid accidents.

The AFCD reminds the public that the cliffs near the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform in Sai Kung have been weathered and eroded over the years. Hikers must follow the waymarks, stay on the designated hiking trails and refrain from striding over railings. The AFCD has added barriers and placed warning signs around the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform and surrounding areas to prevent hikers from wandering into dangerous areas, hence avoiding accidents. During the New Year holidays, the AFCD will deploy additional staff to disseminate messages about hiking safety at the viewing platform and surrounding areas, to ensure the safety of hikers.

The AFCD promotes comprehensive information about trails through the "Enjoy Hiking" website (www.hiking.gov.hk) to help hikers select suitable routes. The website also provides comprehensive database on various hiking trails, including trail length, difficulty and nearby facilities, for hikers to plan hiking trips that are suitable for themselves according their personal conditions. The website also lists out high risk locations with records of fatal and serious accidents in country parks, with a view to reminding hikers to avoid visiting those areas.

For information on hiking safety, please visit the AFCD page (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_gac/cou_wha_whe_sat.html).

Source: AI-found images