FIREMEN from the Public Security Bureau in Beijing are to be seconded to the Hong Kong fire service in a move to improve co-operation and boost the confidence of local businesses expanding to the mainland.
The team will begin working with the Fire Services Department in November and be taught local techniques and regulations.
Hong Kong hopes the move will improve fire-fighting co-operation along the border up to and after the changeover.
It could also lead to a change of fire prevention regulations on the mainland and further encourage investment across the border as well as safeguarding the interests of businessmen in joint ventures.
Retiring fire chief Jerry Lam Chek-yuen revealed the new measures yesterday as he prepared to hand over the post of Director of Fire Services on October 1 to his 52-year-old deputy Peter Cheung.
He also announced Hong Kong and the Guangdong fire services were working to establish a 'hotline' to save time during future joint operations on the border, which Mr Lam expected to become more frequent.
During a 1993 Shenzhen dangerous goods factory fire, the only time China asked for assistance from Hong Kong, the request passed through five channels before reaching fire services.
