AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE
43. The integration of auxiliaries and the raising of their capability to professional standards continued throughout the year. In general, the difference between auxiliaries and professionals in terms of fire fighting efficiency has considerably diminished, and it is now becoming an increasingly practical proposition for auxiliaries when called out to be assigned responsibilities equivalent to those of their professional col- leagues, rank for rank.
44. During the Kowloon disturbances and the June rainstorms 510 auxiliaries and 396 auxiliaries respectively were either called upon to report for duty or did so under their own initiative and proved important factors in the maintenance of fire protection during these periods. On numerous other minor occasions auxiliaries were also called out to reinforce professional resources.
45. The Auxiliary Fire Service Band gave 9 concerts during the year in public parks and playgrounds, and the rising demand for these services give a pleasing indication of the increasing popularity of this type of entertainment and of the Band's musical proficiency.
RECRUITING AND TRAINING
46. Whilst the Service still suffers very inadequate training facilities, considerable headway was made during the year by the establishment of a temporary training school in the old Naval lands, Queen's Road, East. For the first time in many years it became possible from August 1966 to put all new entrants to the Service through a systematic training programme before posting them to operational duties. Moreover, the establishment of a temporary training school enabled a start to be made on a comprehensive and systematic refresher training programme for all ranks.
47. In the year under review no less than 39 officers and 293 men attended training courses conducted by Fire Service instructors. Appendix XII gives a numerical break-down of these courses.
48. A new post of Senior Training Officer was created in December 1966. The officer appointed to this post is responsible for analysing, planning, standardizing and co-ordinating existing and future training requirements for the whole of the Service both in relation to local courses and overseas training.
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