LOCAL FORCES
Civil Aid Services
This Unit is responsible for all civil defence functions not covered by the other emergency services. It is divided into a number of sub-units (Warden's Services, Rescue Service etc.) along orthodox civil defence lines, and is now several thousand strong. The members of the Unit are markedly keen and more volunteers are coming forward than can be trained. Although there is much still to be done, satisfactory progress in training is being made.
The conditions of service of the Essential Services Corps as a whole (including its autonomous Units) have been approximately equated to those of the Defence Force and the same training obligations are, broadly speaking, imposed; except that members are not required to undergo 15 days training in camp, or to do any full-day training. Moreover, those members of the Essential Services Corps who in an emergency would continue to perform duties in which they are already expert naturally require less training. All Units are composed partly of volunteers and partly of conscripts enrolled after the introduction of compulsory service in 1951.
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