Chief Executive CY Leung, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and Secretary for Security TK Lai opened the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O today, and the Metropolitan Symposium on Emergency Response.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Leung praised firefighters and ambulance personnel for their fearless commitment to safety and service.
"Two months ago, with the temperature hitting the lowest in nearly 60 years, more than 100 people - runners in a cross-country race and a good many frost chasers - were stranded on Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong's highest peak. They were unprepared for the freezing temperature, battering wind and, at times, heavy rain. I must thank our dedicated rescuers, for battling through the frozen roads and hillsides, and for bringing the stranded and injured to safety, expeditiously and professionally," he said.
He and other officiating guests then toured the training facilities and watched training demonstrations.
The academy covers an area of 158,000 square metres and provides 526 residential training places for both newly recruited and serving fire and ambulance personnel.
The specialised high angle rescue, urban search and rescue, and compartment fire behaviour training facilities help strengthen firefighters' ability to tackle large-scale incidents. Fire and ambulance officers will also have more opportunities to train together to improve their emergency response and co-ordination capabilities.
The three-day symposium will foster greater understanding of the approach, skills and best practices adopted by emergency service providers throughout the world, so they can respond to disasters more effectively. About 250 fire and ambulance professionals from 14 countries and regions are taking part.
