Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman Reviews Fire Services Graduation Parade and Highlights Emergency Preparedness Initiatives.

2025-05-23 18:16 Last Updated At：18:28

Chairman of Hong Kong Jockey Club reviews Fire Services passing-out parade

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Michael Lee, reviewed the Fire Services passing-out parade for 36 station officers, five ambulance officers, 15 senior firemen/senior firewomen of the Mobilising and Communications Division, 84 firemen and 55 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (May 23).

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Chairman of Hong Kong Jockey Club reviews Fire Services passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Chairman of Hong Kong Jockey Club reviews Fire Services passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speaking at the parade, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is subject to natural disasters such as typhoons and rainstorms from time to time. Therefore, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) supports the Fire Services Department (FSD) through its Charities Trust to implement the HKSAR Government FSD's Disaster Management Programme. The programme aims to promote the training of emergency response and preparedness, strengthen regional collaboration and enhance public emergency awareness, in a bid to improve Hong Kong's overall emergency response capabilities.

Mr Lee mentioned that the HKJC supported the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) joint emergency response and rescue exercise, "Liancheng-2025", held in March this year. The Hong Kong FSD, the Fire and Rescue Corps of Guangdong Province and the Macao Fire Services Bureau jointly held the exercise in Hong Kong. It simulated Hong Kong experiencing a typhoon and rainstorm with prompt cross-boundary support from Guangdong and Macao rescue teams. The exercise concluded successfully by not only demonstrating the collaboration among the rescue teams of the three places, but also laying the foundation for the GBA rescue network.

Mr Lee also said that, with the support of the HKJC, the FSD provides basic fire safety equipment and stand-alone fire detectors for the community, while also expanding automated external defibrillator coverage and organising public education activities to promote fire safety knowledge.

Mr Lee added that, thanks to the FSD's thorough preparation in advance, a number of major events in Hong Kong could be held safely and smoothly. For the 15th National Games to be held in November this year, the FSD has stepped up fire safety inspections at the venues and co-ordinated with other departments to conduct various test events and stress tests, with a view to better protecting the athletes and audiences.

Mr Lee commended the graduates for their high morale and readiness to take up the FSD mission of "saving those in distress and protecting the community", which is in line with the core values of the HKJC in serving the community. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the FSD for its outstanding contributions to Hong Kong over the years and for nurturing a new generation of excellent fire and ambulance personnel.

The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 195 graduates will be posted to various fire stations, ambulance depots and the Fire Services Communications Centre.

Civil Aviation Department Completes Successful Aeronautical Search and Rescue Exercise Near Lantau Island

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully completed a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.

The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department (MD), the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Garrison) respectively.

Today's exercise simulated a helicopter crashing into the sea near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island. With the concerted efforts of helicopters and vessels dispatched by the Garrison, the GFS, the HKPF, and the FSD, all three people on board were rescued. The exercise lasted one hour, mobilising around 100 personnel from the participating units.

A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said, "In accordance with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, CAD regularly organises Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercises to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among relevant search and rescue units and promote technical exchanges. This is to ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of an emergency."

This Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise is divided into two parts: a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted today in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island; and a long-range search and rescue exercise to be conducted tomorrow (January 13) in the South China Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles south of Hong Kong. CAD, together with the GFS, the MD, the Garrison, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, will jointly deploy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to conduct the search and rescue tasks. The entire long-range exercise is expected to be completed in around three hours.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman Reviews Fire Services Graduation Parade and Highlights Emergency Preparedness Initiatives.

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