GBA emergency response plan gets additional resources in place in no time: Chris Tang

The Greater Bay Area Emergency Response and Rescue Operational Plan will provide a framework for cities to share their resources immediately in times of emergencies, said Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in his policy address last year, floated the idea of establishing a systematic emergency-response mechanism to strengthen the region's ability to prevent, mitigate and relieve natural disasters and other major public emergencies.

Speaking on an RTHK program, Tang said the idea came after typhoons Hato and Mangkhut wreaked havoc on Macau and Hong Kong in 2018, with cities requiring weeks to recover from the aftermath.

He said with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge now in place, in the event of natural disasters or accidents in any city within the region, additional rescue resources such as firefighting equipment, rescue tools, and tree-cutting equipment can be immediately mobilized.

Previously, there was no specific mechanism in place, he said, adding that vehicles needed licenses to enter Hong Kong while tools and rescue personnel on board required certifications.

Tang said through this mechanism, equipment and rescue personnel can be pre-certified, with customs clearance arranged in advance.

“Rescue is only one call away [under the new plan],” he said.

Meanwhile, the security chief said the most time-consuming and complex aspect of the plan is ensuring a unified standard of operation and smooth communication.

He said Hong Kong has been collaborating with mainland law enforcement and emergency departments since before the handover, leading to a mutual understanding and smooth coordination. He also noted that large-scale drills are conducted once or twice a year, accompanied by frequent smaller-scale exercises.