Security chief vows revamp of fire department after report censures lax inspections
Fire Services Department criticized for 'passive, paper-driven' audit regime following Wang Fuk Court fire
Quick Look
Hong Kong's security chief plans to overhaul the Fire Services Department and tighten enforcement after an investigation into the Wang Fuk Court fire revealed failures in supervisory duties and a reliance on ineffective, paper-based safety audits.
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Why It Matters
An independent committee investigated a fire at Wang Fuk Court, finding that the Fire Services Department failed to properly inspect deactivated fire safety systems.
Hong Kong’s security chief has vowed to implement tougher enforcement against unauthorised shutdowns of fire safety systems and a structural overhaul of the Fire Services Department after it was criticised for relying on a “passive, paper-driven” audit regime.
The independent committee that investigated the Wang Fuk Court fire said in its report released on Thursday that the department had received notices that the estate’s fire hydrant and hosepipe reel system had been deactivated for maintenance, but its officers paid only “cursory initial visits” and relied on verbal reports rather than conducting inspections themselves.
“Though the members of the FSD had demonstrated great heroism in carrying out the firefighting and rescue operations on the day of the fire, the FSD had failed its supervisory duty,” the report said.
Open Questions
- What specific legislative changes will be implemented?
- How will the structural overhaul be executed?
