History of Hong Kong Fire Services Department in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 26, 2025

The Hong Kong Fire Services Department is an emergency service in Hong Kong. Its responsibilities include firefighting, rescue operations on both land and sea, and providing emergency ambulance services. It also offers fire protection advice to the public. The department reports to the Secretary for Security, who is the head of the Security Bureau. Thus, its operation is closely linked to Hong Kong's governmental security apparatus.

1950: Creation of Auxiliary Fire Service Unit

In 1950, the Auxiliary Fire Service Unit was created to establish the Hong Kong Auxiliary Fire Brigade. This brigade provided additional manpower to regular fire brigade members under the Essential Services (Auxiliary Fire Service) Corps Regulations.

1953: Transfer of Medical Corps vehicles and crew to Fire Service

In 1953, all Medical Corps vehicles and crew were transferred to the Fire Service, leading to the creation of the present Ambulance Command.

1961: Creation of Director of Fire Services

In 1961, the role of Director of Fire Services was created, replacing the roles of Chief Fire Officer and Superintendent of Fire Services.

March 1987: Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance Enforcement

The Commercial Buildings and Premises Division enforces the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance for upgrading fire safety measures in prescribed commercial premises and specified commercial buildings constructed on or before March 1987.

1997: Adoption of Current Fire Service Crest in 1997

In 1997, the current Fire Service crest was adopted to replace the pre-handover crest due to the presence of colonial elements. The changes impacted uniforms, vehicles, flags, and other signage.

1997: Flag Change in 1997

In 1997, the flag was changed. The old red flag was replaced by a purple flag with the new crest. This flag is flown only at Headquarters, while the Flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flies at all fire stations.

1997: Firefighters serving under British before 1997

The Fire Services Department of Hong Kong served under the British before 1997.

2004: Fire and Special Service Calls in 2004

In 2004, the Fire Services Department responded to 35,092 fire calls and 20,059 special service calls. Fires claimed nine lives and left 451 injured. Special service calls resulted in 717 deaths and 1,995 injuries.

2004: Ambulance Personnel Injuries in 2004

In 2004, there were 106 cases of ambulance personnel sustaining injury while on active duty.

2005: Third Generation Mobilising System Implemented

The Third Generation Mobilising System came into operation in phases starting in the first quarter of 2005. 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.

2011: Post-Dispatch Advice Introduced

Since 2011, dispatchers are able to give post-dispatch advice to callers whilst they are waiting for an ambulance or fire appliance to attend. This allows callers to provide timely and appropriate first aid and stabilise time-critical patients.

2024: Department Strength and Organization

As of 2024, the Fire Services Department has 11,476 members (10,690 uniformed and 786 civilian). It is organized into 9 commands and one support branch, with operations split into four geographic commands, an Ambulance Command, and an Operational Support Command.

2024: Emergency Response Times Achieved in 2024

In 2024, 95.6% of building fire calls and 96.1% of emergency ambulance calls were responded to within the respective target response times.

2024: Ambulance Command Statistics for 2024

In 2024, the Ambulance Command responded to 823,655 calls, attending to 521,127 patients or casualties, averaging 1,575 calls per day.

2024: Increased Fire and Special Service Calls in 2024

In 2024, the Fire Services Department responded to 37,828 fire calls and 39,320 special service calls, an increase from 2004.

2024: Introduction of Critical Care and Infection Control Ambulance in 2024

Starting in 2024, a specialist Critical Care and Infection Control ambulance was introduced into service to transfer acute patients or patients with infectious diseases.