I REFER to the letter from Mr Barry Lea which was published in the South China Morning Post, on January 23.
An investigation into the complaint has been completed and I am now able to respond accordingly.
In order to reduce the unnecessary noise disturbance to the surroundings of Kotewall Road Fire Station, this department has issued instructions to switch off the outdoor speakers of the Public Address (PA) system in the station drill yard and to lower the volume of the indoor speakers in the evening and early morning. However, it was noted that there had been several early morning turn-outs to emergencies on December 11 and 12, of last year.
Mr Lea might have mistakenly thought that a call at 7.11am on December 12, was a PA system test.
Currently, this department is reviewing the time in the day for testing the call out system at all fire stations and ambulance depots with a view to minimising disturbance to the public.
We are grateful to Mr Lea for bringing this matter to our attention.
