Becoming a fireman may be the stuff of childhood dreams and - with the Fire Services Department's recruitment exercise - for some, it could soon become a reality.
The department is recruiting station and ambulance officers, with plans to begin hiring firemen next month and in August. It recently hired ambulancemen.
'We conduct our recruitment drive based on the needs of our workforce,' says Liu Cheuk-fan, senior divisional officer (recruitment training and examination) at the Fire Services Department.
'Gaps in the force that need to be filled are due to retirement and natural wastage.'
There are about 90 vacancies for firemen and about 48 positions for station officers, while there are more than 100 slots for ambulance services personnel this year.
Applicants interested in becoming a fireman or ambulanceman must at least have attained a pass in Chinese Language and English Language, in addition to achieving a Grade E or above in three other subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, or its equivalent, and be fluent Cantonese speakers.
The interview process for both roles is similar; with the exception that firemen must have good vision, without needing to wear spectacles.