Key facts
- The Fire Services Department spent HK$8.4 million (US$1.1 million) on the new Firefighter Tracking Devices, the South China Morning Post reported.
Hong Kong firefighters get HK$8.4 million tracking upgrade after Tai Po fire
IN SHORT
Hong Kong's Fire Services Department spent HK$8.4 million (US$1.1 million) on upgraded Firefighter Tracking Devices issued to about 2,000 firefighters, the South China Morning Post reported on November 8, 2026. The November 1 roll-out followed an independent inquiry into last year's deadly Tai Po fire that found technical limitations in the previous system.
Key Numbers
HK$8.4 millionFire Services Department spending on new Firefighter Tracking Devices, per the S
US$1.1 millionequivalent of the HK$8.4 million tracking device spend, per the report
HK$4,000cost of each new Firefighter Tracking Device, per the report
2,000firefighters issued upgraded tracking devices, per the report
Who's Involved
Fire Services Department
Hong Kong department that bought tracking devices
South China Morning Post
outlet that reported the tracking device upgrade
↳ Why This Matters
The Fire Services Department's HK$8.4 million purchase equips about 2,000 firefighters with tracking devices intended to locate personnel in distress, a change that follows an inquiry finding technical limitations in the previous system after the Tai Po fire.