The Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) has spent about HK$6 million to beef up its ability to protect major events such as the upcoming Olympic equestrian games.

And 14 rescue workers have been sent overseas to receive special training.

FSD Director Gregory Lo made the announcements yesterday during a press conference about the department's work last year and its plans for this year.

He said that the FSD will also strengthen its medical training, especially to treat those injured while horseback riding.

Lo added that a contingency plan for such accidents has been created by ambulance and fire service officers and given to the Security Bureau.

More than 10 ambulances will stand by at the Olympic equestrian competition venues, he said.

To better handle any situation that may arise, an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team was set up in addition to the existing Special Rescue Squad.

The FSD also purchased equipment last year for disasters such as a building collapse or contamination by radiological, biological and chemical pollutants.

Summing up the department's work last year, Lo said there were 31,638 fire calls, a drop of 4.9 percent from 2006; fires killed 16 people and injured 327; and ambulance calls rose 6.26 percent to 611,707, setting a new annual record.

Chief Ambulance Officer Ken Mak attributed the ambulance calls in part to a growing demand of service to the elderly population, which continues to increase.

He expected the number of ambulance services to grow by 4 percent this year, and he said the FSD will apply for extra resources to cope with the demand.

Meanwhile, Lo pointed out that the turnover rate of staff working in the FSD's control room in 2007 was severe, and the department plans to recruit at least 300 people in 2008-09 to fill vacancies. The average annual turnover rate in the past 10 years was 5.3 percent.

Lo said the high turnover is because of the stressful job and citizens' complaints.

The FSD will strengthen communication with the staff, hold workshops to help them reduce their stress, and award those with excellent performances, he added.

"In order to retain staff, salary adjustment is important," Lo added.

A new Fire Services Training School is also being planned and will be built to complement the existing school, which opened in 1968. And an "Incident Command Training Center" will be commissioned this year.