Following the catastrophic Wang Fuk Estate fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong police have rapidly mobilized comprehensive psychological support for hundreds of officers involved in the devastating aftermath, which tragically claimed over 100 lives and displaced thousands of residents. While emergency personnel are trained for high-stress environments, the sheer scale of the tragedy necessitated immediate intervention to mitigate deep emotional strain and potential acute stress reactions among those handling remains, collecting evidence, and assisting distressed families.
The Police Psychological Services Group (PSG) swiftly activated its post-disaster protocol, supporting more than 100 frontline and back-office staff. Crucially, approximately 300 members of the specialized Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU) received proactive counselling before deployment into the worst-affected areas. This preparation aimed to equip officers with psychological coping mechanisms before encountering the immense trauma of the disaster zone.
Proactive Care for Critical Responders
The PSG, staffed by 13 clinical psychologists, operates on three core pillars: individual counselling, organizational support, and assistance related to criminal cases. Given the sudden and severe nature of the conflagration, the PSG quickly briefed DVIU teams on expected psychological responses and stress management strategies. These briefings were enhanced by insights from former DVIU personnel, including veterans of past complex incidents like the Garley Building fire, offering vital, real-world preparation for officers.
Post-incident support extended beyond the DVIU to include teams managing casualty enquiry centers, officers working in mortuaries, and the Police Tactical Unit stationed at the site. This layered approach utilized immediate on-scene psychological support, group debriefings, and educational materials distributed to help personnel recognize and manage critical stress symptoms.
Senior officer Lee Ming-ching highlighted the dedication of responders, noting that team members often went “the extra mile,” including continued efforts on personal time—like searching social media or following up with affected households—to provide identification closure for families. The intensive work included the painstaking task of recovering human remains, sometimes involving digging by hand to find small fragments or identifiable items, underscoring the emotional toll of the duty.
Restoring Routine and Mental Wellness
Clinical psychologist Fung Ho-kin confirmed that the intervention was proactive, designed to speed recovery rather than responding to distress calls. “After a major incident, psychological reactions are expected,” Fung explained. “We reached out to offer support to speed their recovery and help them get back on track. This is not psychiatric treatment and does not indicate psychological disorder.”
While some officers reported intrusive recollections of the scene after their shifts, PSG personnel noted no indicators of severe emotional or psychiatric disorders. The goal is to help officers re-establish normal routines swiftly. Experts anticipate that most acute stress reactions will progressively subside within two to four weeks, allowing the majority to return to their regular daily lives.
Key Support Strategies:
- Pre-deployment briefing/counselling for specific units like the DVIU.
- On-site psychological first aid and immediate support.
- Group debriefings after deployment.
- Encouragement of routine restoration to allow intrusive thoughts and imagery to recede.
Fung noted that some officers reported deeper personal reflection post-incident, fostering a renewed appreciation for family communication and “living in the moment.” Over the next few weeks, the PSG will continue offering sustained follow-up services to personnel across all affected divisions, including the Crime Wing, casualty enquiry centers, and Forensic Services, ensuring comprehensive organizational psychological care in the aftermath of the tragedy.