Dedicated Team Prepares for
High Angle Rescues
Fire Services Department

Exemplary Services @ Gov
2013

(Cantonese with English subtitles)

Team Award (Criss/Incident Support Service) Transcript
The High Angle Rescue Team (HART) is the only accredited team in Asia that has mastered the advanced skill of using industrial ropes for performing rescue operations. A comprehensive model of manpower, training and operation was developed after analysing previous cases and consulting staff at all levels.

Well trained for best performance

The High Angle Rescue Team (HART) is the only accredited team in Asia that has mastered the advanced skill of using industrial ropes for performing rescue operations. A comprehensive model of manpower, training and operation was developed after analysing previous cases and consulting staff at all levels.

All members of HART are recruited through voluntary enrolment, and need to go through a very strict selection process and advanced high angle rescue training programme. In addition to their normal duties as firemen, they shoulder extra high angle rescue tasks. Squad supervisors and trainers are on standby all year to carry out rescue operations at high angle locations. To be prepared for dealing with emergency situations professionally, team members take part in field rescue exercises regularly to practise using ropes and specialised equipment under different scenarios. These exercises are conducted at high angle locations with special facilities such as tower cranes, wharf cranes, suspended working platforms on high-rise buildings, cable cars and bridge towers to ensure that team members get familiar with every step in the entire rescue process. Since its establishment in 2011, the team has successfully assisted frontline firemen to perform operations effectively and safely at high angle locations including wharf cranes, high-rise buildings, warehouse rooftop cranes and even cliffs.

Photo:Team members are accredited by the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) as Level 1 rope access technician. The excellent performance of HART has brought about higher efficiency and effectiveness to emergency rescues. Their achievement has earned high recognition from the public.

Team members conduct field exercises at high angle locations.
Team members conduct field exercises at high angle locations.
Team members conduct field exercises at high angle locations.