Hong Kong firefighters get HK$8.4 million tracking upgrade after Tai Po fire
Some 2,000 Hong Kong firefighters have been issued upgraded tracking devices after an independent inquiry into last year’s deadly Tai Po fire exposed technical limitations in the previous system, the South China Morning Post has learned. The Fire Services Department spent HK$8.4 million (US$1.1 million) on the new Firefighter Tracking Devices (FTDs), which cost more than HK$4,000 each, to help…
In the wake of last year's devastating Tai Po fire, which claimed the lives of 168 people, Hong Kong's Fire Services Department has allocated HK$8.4 million to provide firefighters with upgraded tracking devices. The new Firefighter Tracking Devices (FTDs) cost more than HK$4,000 each and are designed to enhance safety by enabling more effective rescue efforts in distress situations.
The devices, which were introduced on November 1, are a significant improvement over the previous Firefighter Location System (FLS), which had limitations in signal transmission and could only cover a vertical distance of 23 floors. The judge-led committee's report highlighted these shortcomings, which contributed to the challenges faced during the initial search for trapped firefighters.
The FTD devices, manufactured in mainland China, are equipped with a transmitter and receiver attached to the breathing apparatus set. When activated or left motionless for 45 seconds, they emit an audible alarm and flash, allowing rescuers to pinpoint their location with directional guidance and distance measurements. The new system also allows for simultaneous tracking of multiple distress signals and offers a two-in-one design, replacing the need for a separate handheld receiver.
Despite some potential signal blockage, the department asserts that the FTD system outperforms the FLS. Additionally, the Fire Services Department has also introduced the Fire Services Department Indoor Locating Equipment (FILE) for large-area firegrounds and low-rise buildings, which provides real-time tracking of firefighters' positions and movements on a 3D map.
However, this equipment was not used during the Tai Po fire due to its limitations in high-rise buildings and the need for calibration at ground level. The Fire Services Department remains committed to continuous improvement and staying updated with new technologies to ensure the highest level of safety for Hong Kong's firefighters.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
