trapped by flames and smoke at fires were rescued by ladders and jumping sheets, including 62 in one night time fire in Western District. Development has also brought material benefits to the public in the form of reduced financial losses, which notwithstanding 1,207 additional outbreaks of fire, were $335,696 less than the preceding year.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
6. Demands by the public and the medical profession have resulted in the Ambulance Service becoming one of the most overworked of social services. Within one hour of typhoon 'Wanda' striking the Colony, resources were exhausted with 20% of our fleet either blown off the roads or immobilized with tyres lacerated by broken glass and other debris. During the Chinese New Year celebrations, availability of am- bulances could not keep pace with demand.
7. Progress made on Government's 5-year plan for developing the Ambulance Service has reduced to a monthly average of 12 the number of occasions when no ambulance, either Government or private, has been available to respond to calls. Statistics maintained during the year indicate that when approved development is completed in 1964-65 the Ambulance Service with assistance from the St. John Ambulance Brigade, private hospitals and Kaifongs, will be able to meet average day to day commitments without overworking either personnel or am- bulances. Much depends, however, on the effect in terms of ambulance calls of additional hospitals and clinics on the one hand and road and industrial accidents on the other. As the delivery and commissioning of new ambulance exceeds 12 months the long-term needs of the Ambulance Service must be kept under constant review.
AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT
8. On 1st April, 1962, Fire Service personnel at Kai Tak Airport, included prior to this date in the establishment of the Civil Aviation Department, were transferred to the strength of the Fire Services Depart- ment. The object of this change was to provide, by periodic interchange, career prospects to Fire Service personnel stationed at the Airport. The Director of Civil Aviation remains the Authority and Government's principal adviser on standards of fire protection and rescue services at the Airport.
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