The Department has an establishment of about 10,740 uniformed personnel and about 760 civilian members. It is divided into four operational Fire Commands, a Fire Safety Command, a Licensing and Certification Command, an Ambulance Command, a Corporate Strategy Command, an Operational Support and Professional Development Command and an Administration Branch. Commanding this more than 11,500-strong Service is the Director of Fire Services who is assisted by a Deputy Director (Operations) and a Deputy Director (Public Safety and Corporate Strategy).
Each of the operational Fire Commands - Hong Kong Island (H), Kowloon (K), New Territories North (NTN) and the New Territories South (NTS) - is headed by an Assistant Director of Chief Fire Officer rank. Each command is organized into three to six geographical divisions, each containing four to eight fire stations.
The Fire Safety Command (FS), commanded by an Assistant Director of Chief Fire Officer rank, comprises nine functional divisions/units - Building Improvement Division 1, Building Improvement Division 2, Building Improvement Division 3, Airport Expansion Project Division, Railway Development Strategy Division, New Projects Division, Support Division, Building Improvement Strategy and Special Operations Division and Loan Scheme Supporting Team.
The Licensing and Certification Command (LC), led by an Assistant Director of Chief Fire Officer rank, comprises seven functional divisions - Licensing & Policy Division, Dangerous Goods Control Division, Dangerous Goods Legislation Division, Dangerous Goods Enforcement Division, Fire Protection Facilities Supervision Division, Fire Protection Engineering Compliance Division and Licensing Authority Division.
The Ambulance Command (Amb), supervised by an Assistant Director of Chief Ambulance Officer rank, has three operational regions (Hong Kong & Operational Support Region, Kowloon & Lantau Region and the New Territories Region) and the Command Headquarters. Each operational region is split into one to two geographical divisions.
Corporate Strategy Command (CS), headed by an Assistant Director of Chief Fire Officer rank, provides planning and management support to the Director as well as policy and logistical support to other Commands. It also oversees issues relating to occupational safety and health, procurement and logistics support, information technology management, welfare, as well as information and publicity matters.
Operational Support and Professional Development Command (OP), headed by a Deputy Chief Fire Officer, is responsible for the operation of the Fire Services Communications Centre, the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy, overseeing issues relating to recruitment, training and examination, workshop and transport matters. It also provides operational support to Fire Operational Commands and Ambulance Command.
The Administration Branch is headed by the Assistant Director (Administration) and staffed by civilian grade members. Its responsibilities are mainly human resources management, recruitment and promotion, general departmental administration, financial management, internal audit, outsourcing, staff relations and translation services.