Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department Prepares for UN Accreditation
Hong Kong’s urban search and rescue team is preparing to seek United Nations (UN) accreditation, which would significantly enhance its role in international disaster response efforts. This move marks a major milestone for the city’s Fire Services Department, as it aims to strengthen its capabilities on the global stage.
Angus Wong Chun-yip, the outgoing deputy director of operations at the Fire Services Department, has been instrumental in shaping the department’s approach over his 31-year career. He emphasized that while the core mission of firefighting and rescue remains unchanged, technological advancements have greatly improved operational precision and safety.
“If we get UN accreditation, we can play a more important role when we join international search and rescue missions, such as a commander in a joint command unit, a divisional commander or chief commander,” Wong said. The accreditation would allow the team to operate independently for up to seven days, enabling them to respond effectively in large-scale disasters.
Wong, who will retire on Tuesday after turning 58, has dedicated his life to combating fires, leading rescue operations, and managing ambulance services during the pandemic. His career has been marked by numerous challenges, including some of the most significant disasters in recent years.
Key Moments in a Career of Service
One of the most memorable events in Wong’s career was the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, where he led a team of 20 rescuers to Hanwang town in Mianzhu county, one of the worst-hit areas. This was the second batch of fire service officers to join Hong Kong’s first disaster rescue mission outside the city.
Describing the harrowing experience, Wong recalled how the debris from collapsed buildings resembled “pancakes” stacked together. His team had to enter the site for a rescue, only to face an aftershock that threatened their safety. Despite the danger, they managed to evacuate everyone just in time.
Nearly two decades later, Wong commanded earthquake rescue missions to Turkey in 2023 and Myanmar this year, working alongside mainland Chinese rescuers. These missions highlighted the importance of technology and experience in modern disaster response.
Technological Advancements in Rescue Operations
Wong noted that tools such as drones, rescue dogs, improved earthquake detectors, and satellite phones have transformed how rescue missions are conducted. These technologies enable rescuers to better survey disaster sites, stay safe from aftershocks, and maintain communication with command centers in Hong Kong.
The next step for the department is to prepare for an upcoming UN assessment, which will determine whether Hong Kong’s team qualifies for accreditation as a “medium” rescue team. This classification would allow the team to sustain 24-hour operations at a site for up to seven days and perform searches using dogs, rigging, and lifting equipment. They would also be permitted to cut structural steel.
The assessment is set to take place at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy in Pak Shing Kok early next year. As part of the preparation, the department will conduct a simulated 48-hour rescue mission, testing the team’s ability to manage with limited supplies.
Lessons from Tragedy and Pandemic
Wong also reflected on some of the most challenging moments in his career. In 2016, two firefighters were killed and another two injured during a fire at the Amoycan Industrial Centre in Ngau Tau Kok. As the deputy head of the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy, he was deeply affected by the loss of a colleague.
The pandemic further tested the resilience of the department. With staff shortages due to illness, Wong emphasized the need to optimize limited resources to support frontline operations. He praised the team’s adaptability during this period.
Future Plans and Training Initiatives
Looking ahead, Wong expressed confidence in the department’s continued improvement. He highlighted the importance of enhancing tools and protective gear for staff working in extreme weather conditions. The department has already begun using big data analysis to monitor operations across different districts in real-time, helping to plan flood preparations and optimize deployment.
Additionally, the Fire Services Department has been approved as a training provider for the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers’ fire division. This initiative aims to reduce the time required to study for additional qualifications from eight years to four, making it easier for officers to become accredited members.
Wong hopes that these efforts will ensure the department remains at the forefront of firefighting and rescue operations, both locally and internationally.