HKSAR Government Enhances Emergency Response Readiness Ahead of Port Opening Through Interdepartmental Exercise

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port.

The exercise was based on realistic simulation scenarios, focusing on potential safety incidents and emergencies at the port after it commences operation. The scenarios covered extreme weather, a power failure, a fire inside the port building, serious traffic accidents on the new connecting road to the port or in the public transport interchange, suspected cases of infectious disease among inbound passengers, etc. Through a scenario-based analysis and discussion on contingency plans, participating bureaux/departments (B/Ds) reviewed their emergency response plans, interdepartmental communication mechanisms and collaborative decision-making processes to prepare for the upcoming opening of the port.

Representatives from various B/Ds attended and participated in the exercise, including the Security Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Information Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Architectural Services Department, the Government Property Agency, the Department of Health, the Transport Department, the Highways Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, and the Digital Policy Office. Representatives from the Shenzhen side also participated in online exchanges with the B/Ds to strengthen the notification and co-ordination mechanism between relevant units in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, inspected the tabletop exercise. He thanked the relevant policy bureaux and departments for their active participation, enabling the smooth completion of the exercise.

The HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen risk management in ensuring the smooth and orderly operation of the port upon its official opening.

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is conducting a series of inter-departmental emergency drills at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area, including mock scenarios of a traffic accident, power outage, lift failure and electrical short circuit, to test departmental emergency response ahead of the port’s opening.

The Fire Services Department executes an elevator rescue operation during a scenario-based exercise.

One of the drills simulated a traffic accident involving three private cars at the public transport interchange inside the Hong Kong Port Area. The scenario involved multiple injuries, prompting emergency crews to rush to the scene.

Firefighters first ensured that the area was secure and that no one was trapped before assessing the casualties and then standing by with a charged hose line as a precaution.

Ambulance personnel then provided further medical treatment before taking the injured to hospital. Meanwhile, police officers investigated the cause of the simulated crash and conducted a breath test on a driver.

The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department simulates a failure of the building’s power and air-conditioning systems to test its response and emergency repair capabilities.

The Fire Services Department also staged a rescue operation inside the port building, where four travellers were simulated as trapped in a lift, complaining of dizziness and discomfort.

Firefighters safely opened the lift doors using a manual key after confirming that the power supply was switched off.

After initial checks, two of the rescued travellers were sent to hospital for further treatment.

Another drill simulated an electrical appliance short circuit in a building rest area, forcing a large number of travellers to evacuate.

During a simulated traffic accident, firefighters and ambulance personnel work in co-ordination to rescue an injured person trapped inside a vehicle.

Emergency teams directed travellers out of the building, while arriving firefighters deployed a hose line to prevent potential flare-ups. One traveller felt unwell and was taken to hospital.

In a separate development, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, together with other government departments, staged emergency scenarios including a simulated power failure, a breakdown of the air-conditioning system and a sudden escalator failure.

Under the department’s supervision, technical staff carried out emergency repairs to ensure a swift resumption of services.

After the establishment of the Hong Kong Port Area, the Hong Kong SAR Government continues to conduct drills and exercises of varying scales to ensure relevant departments and units familiarise themselves with handling different emergency situations.