HONG Kong and Shenzhen emergency services will stage their first joint fire-rescue exercise next month, just over the border in Futian.
A spokesman for the Fire Services Department confirmed yesterday that the exercise would be held on August 16, but details had yet to be finalised.
It is understood that the exercise will involve 200 people pretending to be trapped in a burning 12-storey building.
A command office linking Hong Kong and mainland firemen will be set up at the scene to direct the rescue. Shenzhen will deploy more than 100 people from the fire brigade, police, traffic management and medical services.
Most of the Hong Kong manpower will be deployed by the Fire Services Department's New Territories northern division, based closest to the border. Three fire engines with extension ladders and five command cars will be dispatched. The number of people from the territory taking part has not yet been decided.
Special staffing arrangements are being made in the New Territories northern division to handle any real emergencies while the exercise is taking place.