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Hong Kong, China covers Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula and the New Territories, including 235 outlying islands. So the fire, rescue and emergency ambulance services in Outlying Island are very important.

In 1940, there were only two fire stations on outlying island. There were Cheung Chau Island Fire Station and Tai O Fire Station. These two stations located in a village hut or in a shared government accommodation. Before 1960, some small fire stations were set up on outlying islands.

During this time, only 2-6 firefighters were standby in every stations. The firefighing and rescue equipments were stowed in two wooden trolleys. Firefighters had to push the trolley manually to the scene of incident in the event of fires or other calamities. 

Before 1960, the firefighters had to perform continuous duties without time off throughout the year expect their annual scheduled vacation leaves.

A 'One day on and One day off" system adopted in Cheung Chau and Peng Chau Fire Station whereas a "Two days on and Two days off" system was adopted in fire stations on Lantau Island. 

The "Lister Truck" was introduced by the Fire Services Department in 1987. The firefighters could save the energy.

The Mini-Trucks were designed by the Workshop of FSD. The speed of Mini-Trucks were no doubt much better than that of the Lister Truck.

To keep pace with Hong Kong's development, new fire stations at Tai O, Mui Wo, Discovery Bay and Cheung Chau which provided Hydraulic Platform or Major Pump were built between 1984 and 1989. Until the improvement of public transport services to outlying islands in 1991, the shift duty system of "One day on and Two days off" was them implemented to all outlying island fire stations.

The phase 2 of Mini- Truck was introduced by the Fire Services Department in 1995. However, the models had a high risk of overturned, so the HKFSD purchased a light van to replace the Mini- Truck in 2001.

Mini Rescue Truck is a four-wheel-drive truck. It can negotiate rough, narrow and steep roads in village area. Besides basic rescue and breaking-in tools, it is also equipped with a Firexpress System. It was put into commission in 2002.

The firefighters in Outlying Island have to tackle all types of incidents by themselves at the early stage until reinforcing manpower / resources are conveyed to the scene by fireboats or helicopters.