Wang Fuk Court hearing revealed police still use fax machines to transfer critical info to FSD
發佈日期: 2026-04-18 00:08
TVB News
The hearing on the Wang Fuk Court fire revealed that the police force and Fire Services Department still used fax as the method to transfer critical information to each other at the time of the blaze.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang admitted that the situation is less than satisfactory and will push for digitisation.
The recent hearing on the tragic blaze revealed that a number of 999 calls made by residents during the Wang Fuk Court fire were not transferred by the police to fire services personnel.
Some of those seeking help eventually died.
The Fire Services Department indicated that they are still receiving information from the police via fax machines.
Speaking at a Legislative Council Finance Committee meeting, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the faxing method is unsatisfactory, adding that the police will upgrade the system to a basic digital format in around one to two months.
This as Tang stressed the police call centre would immediately start a joint conference call between itself, the caller and the FSD once it receives a call pertaining to a fire.
But he noted that the system was overwhelmed at the day of the Wang Fuk Court blaze.
The secretary for security further said the police call centre currently has around 200 lines, while the FSD only has around 30.
In a bid to expand the system, authorities will increase the FSD call centre's available lines by 18 within the next two weeks, while another 18 to 20 lines will be added in the next three to four months.
By the time the FSD's fourth-generation command system becomes operational next year, the call centre will have more than 100 lines.
Some legislators questioned how to increase the system's efficiency.
Lawmaker Dominic Lee asked whether authorities will use the upgraded system to check for repeated calls for assistance.
Tang noted that the key to handling such matters is putting experienced individuals in charge and their professional judgement.
Meanwhile, Tang emphasised the Wang Fuk Court incident should lead to the speeding up of efforts to streamline local and mainland fire services standards, which could allow the city to utilise Greater Bay Area resources in the future to put out fires.
