Hong Kong delegation trains with Hanover Park firefighters

With his American counterparts eyeing his every move, a confident Hong Kong Fire Station Officer Wong King-man - or Raymond, as he's called here - properly secured a sample of a potential nerve agent.

His technique won an approving nod from instructors and further prepared him for the big certification exam on Friday.

He and his four fellow firefighters will then leave Hanover Park and return to Hong Kong with plans to develop programs focused on managing hazardous materials incidents.

It's been a tough, but rewarding three weeks of intensive training.

"This was an opportunity to learn more about American operations," said Assistant Divisional Officer Tung Kok Keung, or "Victor."

"The course is physically demanding, but we overcame."

Instructors from the Illinois Fire Service Institute, a division of the University of Illinois, have spent the last few weeks in Hanover Park leading the hazardous materials training course. About 30 firefighters are participating, including the five from Hong Kong and 20 from Hanover Park.

The institute taught another group from Hong Kong in DeKalb last year.

Hanover Park Fire Chief Craig Haigh said the department was approached because of its close working relationship with the institute, expansive facilities and active role in the Hazardous Materials Response Team.

"I'm hoping we can do this again in years to come because this really makes our guys better," he said. "They're able to showcase what they can do and also learn from the (Hong Kong) firefighters."

Though they speak fluent English, the cultural differences are great.

"Americans say fire engine. We say fire appliance. At first I worried," Chan Man-hon ("Steven") said.

Another example was an exercise at a rail yard dealing with a gasoline tanker and pressurized rail car. In Hong Kong, freight is mostly transported via truck.

"They've been so attentive and willing to learn," lead instructor Jeremy Montgomery said. "They're leaving here as a highly skilled first-line of defense."

The delegation, which was selected by Hong Kong officials based on education, experience and seniority, took plenty of photographs and video in order to teach personnel back home. They were very interested in rehabilitation training, which reduces fatalities by cooling and tending to firefighters at the scene.

Between long hours at the fire station and homework back at the hotel, the group fit in excursions to outlet malls and Chinatown. They were recognized by Mayor Rod Craig at a recent village board meeting and rave about the availability of fresh seafood and other delicious food.

"Everyone is very friendly and patient," Victor Tung said. "We are very thankful to everyone."