from the resources needed to rehabilitate and resuscitate industries which have been damaged by fire. Moreover, though price indices are rising throughout the world, the rise in Britain has probably been considerably more pronounced than in Hong Kong, and straightforward comparison of the figures does not, therefore, tell the whole story.
Special Service Calls
10. Special service calls, i.e. emergencies not involving fire at which life is imperilled, rose from 604 in 1965-66 to 1,040 in the year under review. 131 of these calls were occasioned by the torrential rainstorms of 12th/13th June 1966 but there was nevertheless a steady increase in these incidents throughout the year.
Ambulance Calls
11. The Ambulance Division of the Service attended 65,778 calls of which 27,876 were of an emergency nature and the balance of 37,902 were non-urgent removals.
Rescues and Injuries
12. 1,514 persons were physically rescued from places of peril during the year, and 1,012 led to safety. This represents an increase of 248 persons or 19.6% compared with the previous year.
Civil Disturbances-Kowloon
13. The Service was first alerted for civil emergency duties at about 23.45 hours on 6th April 1966 and remained at emergency 'stand to' formation until 12.10 hours on 12th April 1966,
14. The disturbances did not in any way over-extend the Service's resources but various units were subjected to some physical strain and considerable inconvenience by the long period of 'stand to' and by assault on appliances and fire stations. Fortunately, only superficial injuries and damage were sustained by personnel and equipment.
15. During the disturbances the Principal Fire Station (Mong Kok) on the Mainland was attacked by demonstrators who attempted to set fire to the premises but were apprehended by the Police, and several gallons of kerosene were seized. Demonstrators also set fire to the main entrance to Mainland Command Fire Headquarters, Nathan Road but this fire was extinguished before any serious damage was done.
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