The Fire Services Department plans to implement the Third Generation Communication and Mobilising System in Hong Kong and Kowloon by the middle of the year if the new system continues to run smoothly in the New Territories, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

In a written answer to legislators today, Mr Lee said although a number of problems have been identified in the initial stage of commissioning, the new system's efficiency is improving after fine-tuning and since frontline staff are now better-acquainted with its operation.

Since the new system started operation in the New Territories Fire Command on March 1, the Second Generation Mobilising System has ceased to handle emergency calls in the region but has been on stand-by mode, so that if the new system encountered any insurmountable problems, the old system could still undertake emergency dispatch, he said.

The old system still undertakes emergency calls for the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Fire Commands.

Since the two systems are being operated simultaneously to handle emergency calls in Hong Kong/Kowloon and the New Territories, the department can no longer flexibly deploy manpower resources between the two communication centres in cases where there is a sudden surge in the number of calls in any one of the cntres.

To address this situation, the department spent $760,000 in March for additional manpower.

New system provides greater accuracy for dispatch

Mr Lee said the new system's performance has shown considerable improvement over the old system in the accuracy of search and dispatch of fire services resources.

In addition, he said, automating certain procedures, such as automatic turn-out broadcast, reduces the workload of the staff in the communication centres.

The new system also enables frontline staff to update operational data directly through equipment installed on board firetrucks and ambulances without the communication centres assistance.

When staff are familiar with the new system's operation and when fine-tuning is done, it will be able to fully yield its intended efficiency and functionality and cater to the rise in the number of emergency calls without the need to increase the number of staff in the Fire Services Communication Centre.