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Hong Kong Fire Services Department

Hong Kong Fire Services Department
Agency overview
Established 1868
Employees 9,351 (8,675 uniformed and 676 civilian), 2,350 (ambulance service)
EMS level ALS
Facilities and equipment
Stations 81
Hong Kong Fire Services Department
Traditional Chinese 消防處
Simplified Chinese 消防处

Hong Kong Fire Services Department (HKFSDChinese: 消防處) of the Hong Kong Government is an emergency service responsible for fire-fighting and rescue on land and sea. It also provides an emergency ambulance service for the sick and the injured, and gives fire protection advice to the public.

The Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) is under the Secretary for Security who heads the Security Bureau. Headquarters is located at Fire Services Headquarters Building () (香港消防處總部大樓), 1 Hong Chong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon West.

The history of the Hong Kong Fire Service began in the Government Gazette dated May 9, 1868. Charles May became the first Superintendent of the Fire Brigade. At the time, the Fire Department was part of the Hong Kong Police Force in 1846. It had a total strength of 62 with a supplement of 100 Chinese volunteers. The fire department expanded to 140 members during the 1920s. During the Japanese Occupation during the World War II, the Service disbanded. The two fire engines were exported to Tokyo to become part of the Imperial Palace Fire Unit. It was only returned after the War. Unlike Canada, UK and some countries, Hong Kong's ambulance service is tied directly with the Fire Department. At that time all emergency ambulance service was provided by the Fire Service while non-emergency was handled by the Medical Corps. In 1950 the Auxiliary Fire Service Unit was created to establish the Hong Kong Auxiliary Fire Brigade to provide additional manpower to regular fire brigade members under the Essential Services (Auxiliary Fire Service) Corps Regulations.


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