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Fire Services Department to cooperate with more organizations on AED installation, says Chris Tang
The Fire Services Department will explore options for cooperation with organizations to install automated external defibrillators (AED), Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said Wednesday.
Tang’s remark came after lawmaker Chan Hak-kan pointed out that not all public venues are installed with an AED.
Chan also worried that rescue work could be delayed as the official centralized AED registry only contains the locations and details of AEDs installed by government departments and organizations that participate in FSD’s “AED Anywhere for Anyone” Program (AAA Program).
In his written reply, Tang noted that over 160 public and private organizations have voluntarily provided the details of over 1,700 AEDs on the information platform Centralized AED Registry for Emergency (CARE) since the launch of the AAA program in June 2021.
“The FSD is actively encouraging different organizations to provide information about their AEDs on the CARE platform. The department will also continue to develop other associated supporting measures, strengthen its services and explore options for cooperation with interested organizations,” Tang said.
The security chief added that there are AEDs installed at different venues in the community, including 26 shopping centers under the Housing Authority, some Green@Community recycling stations, and 65 government primary and secondary schools, apart from those 1,700 available on the CARE platform.
Other support measures by the FSD include enhancement in the installation locations of AEDs, and provision of trainings, seminars and lectures on CPR and AED, Tang also said.
Meanwhile, Andy Tsang Chi-ho, a registered nurse and the chairman of the Hong Kong Resuscitation Society, called on authorities to introduce the Good Samaritan law in Hong Kong, as he spoke of citizens’ concerns on criminal liability if they injure others during rescue work.
Tsang said the HKRS is mulling with Polytechnic University and the University of Science and Technology on launching a pilot scheme to introduce credit-bearing AED courses.
His idea was echoed by medical and health services constituency lawmaker David Lam Tzit-yuen, who recommended adding AED training sessions and first aid classes to secondary schools.
Lam also suggested expanding the coverage of AEDs to convenience stores in the city.
Chan also worried that rescue work could be delayed as the official centralized AED registry only contains the locations and details of AEDs installed by government departments and organizations that participate in FSD’s “AED Anywhere for Anyone” Program (AAA Program).
In his written reply, Tang noted that over 160 public and private organizations have voluntarily provided the details of over 1,700 AEDs on the information platform Centralized AED Registry for Emergency (CARE) since the launch of the AAA program in June 2021.
“The FSD is actively encouraging different organizations to provide information about their AEDs on the CARE platform. The department will also continue to develop other associated supporting measures, strengthen its services and explore options for cooperation with interested organizations,” Tang said.
The security chief added that there are AEDs installed at different venues in the community, including 26 shopping centers under the Housing Authority, some Green@Community recycling stations, and 65 government primary and secondary schools, apart from those 1,700 available on the CARE platform.
Other support measures by the FSD include enhancement in the installation locations of AEDs, and provision of trainings, seminars and lectures on CPR and AED, Tang also said.
Meanwhile, Andy Tsang Chi-ho, a registered nurse and the chairman of the Hong Kong Resuscitation Society, called on authorities to introduce the Good Samaritan law in Hong Kong, as he spoke of citizens’ concerns on criminal liability if they injure others during rescue work.
Tsang said the HKRS is mulling with Polytechnic University and the University of Science and Technology on launching a pilot scheme to introduce credit-bearing AED courses.
His idea was echoed by medical and health services constituency lawmaker David Lam Tzit-yuen, who recommended adding AED training sessions and first aid classes to secondary schools.
Lam also suggested expanding the coverage of AEDs to convenience stores in the city.
