It also provides an emergency ambulance service for the sick and the injured and gives fire protection advice to the public.

Firefighting, rescue and other emergency services are undertaken by the three operational commands － Hong Kong (including marine and off-shore islands), Kowloon and the New Territories.

Careless handling or disposal of cigarette butts, matches and candles remained the major causes of fires, followed by incidents involving the preparation of food and electrical faults.

Special service calls cover a wide range of incidents, including traffic and industrial accidents, gas leakages, landslides, flooding, house collapses, suicide attempts and malfunctioning lifts.

The first-line appliances, basically comprising major pumps, hydraulic platforms, light rescue units and turntable ladders/snorkels, are supported where necessary by other special appliances/equipment.

Front-line firemen are also trained as first-responders to provide basic life support to casualties and patients before the arrival of an ambulance crew.

The FSCC, staffed around the clock, also caters for receipt of complaints and enquiries of fire hazards and dangerous goods.

The system's objective is to further enhance the capability and efficiency in mobilisation and communications to meet anticipated growth of emergency calls over the next decade.

The Policy Division deals mainly with the formulation of guidelines on fire protection matters, prosecutions, research and approval of portable fire-fighting equipment and gas cylinders.

Officers of the Command are seconded to the Home Affairs Department to inspect hotels, guesthouses, private clubs and bedspace apartments, and formulate fire safety requirements on these premises; whereas some are seconded to the Social Welfare Department to advise on fire protection measures in residential care homes for the elderly.

The Administration Division, staffed by civilians, deals with departmental establishment, personnel, finance, appointments, general matters, staff relations, audit and translation service.

The primary role of the contingent is to provide rescue and fire fighting coverage for Hong Kong International Airport.

The contingent, which comprises two fire stations (one next to DHL Asia Hub and one next to the Air Traffic Control Tower) and two sea rescue berths (east and west ends of Chep Lap Kok) at strategic locations on the airport platform, is equipped with 14 fire appliances, two command boats and eight speedboats.

It comprises about 150 active divers responsible for maritime search and rescue within Hong Kong waters down to the maximum depth of 42 metres using compressed air diving equipment and underwater breaking-in tools.

Apart from providing training for staff of other government departments, private organisations and overseas fire officers, FSTS also runs Youth Pre-employment Training Programmes and Smart Teen Challenge Camps for youngsters jointly with the Labour Department and the Education and Manpower Bureau respectively.

The Workshops Division is responsible for all engineering matters relating to fire appliances, fire-fighting and rescue equipment.

These include design, development, procurement, inspection and maintenance, fitting out, modification, testing and commissioning.

The Fire Services Department of Hong Kong is a force of 8,000-plus firefighters serving one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world.

While most cities' high-rise buildings are concentrated in their commercial areas in the central business districts, they are ubiquitous in Hong Kong.

Common fire engines in Hong Kong include: The following appliances are mainly deployed to the airport and stations close to fuel depots: A list of vehicles used in the past and present: For funerals Turntable Ladder with turntable unit removed is used to carry the coffin.

The changes impacted both uniforms (lapels, buttons, helmets, caps), vehicles, flags and other signage.