Typhoon simulation unites HK, Guangdong and Macau in cross-border rescue drill

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department, alongside the Fire and Rescue Corps of Guangdong Province and the Macao Fire Services Bureau, conducted a large-scale emergency response exercise, dubbed Liancheng-2025, from March 25 to 27.

The 48-hour drill simulated multi-agency disaster scenarios, testing cross-border coordination in the Greater Bay Area.

The exercise replicated a typhoon striking Hong Kong, with hikers stranded on a mountain, requiring high-angle rescue operations.

Guangdong rescuers provided emergency medical care before transporting casualties across waters, where Macau’s team took over.

Other scenarios included a hazardous chemical spill from a vehicle, necessitating large-scale decontamination, and a building collapse during the typhoon, prompting joint search-and-rescue efforts.

Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung Yan-kin said the drill evaluated emergency protocols, including the "green channel" system allowing mainland fire trucks rapid entry into Hong Kong, and a unified on-site command structure. 

Within four hours of Hong Kong’s request, 60 Guangdong and 15 Macau firefighters arrived for the exercise.
Yeung emphasized a "locality-led" command model, with Hong Kong directing operations and delegating tasks. 

Disputes would be resolved by Hong Kong’s on-scene commander.

“To ensure seamless collaboration, the teams standardized equipment lists and conducted prior training,” Yeung added.

Yeung noted the mechanism would activate if local resources were overwhelmed, citing 2018’s Typhoon Mangkhut which caused widespread debris blockage, and cross-border assistance could then be requested.

The drill also involved Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority and Civil Aid Service and was funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. 

(Ayra Wang)