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LOCAL FORCES
are typhoons, floods and house-collapses. It includes units specializ- ing in fire-prevention and fire-fighting, civil defence, first aid, heavy rescue and communications, and a despatch service equipped with motor scooters. Most members train part-time but there are full- time courses for instructors and specialists.
At all times members voluntarily turn out to assist the community when the need arises and provide uniformed members to help local Kai Fong and welfare associations when requested.
The Auxiliary Fire Service has 683 volunteer members who augment the professional fire services in major fires and other emergencies. They are attached to regional fire stations in units. of 16 for training and operational duties, and eight units are also posted to New Territories District Fire Headquarters as a Reserve Force for special water relay duties and emergency rescue. They man their own appliances at week-ends, as well as doing two hours a week training with regular appliances and equipment.
Apart from training to meet emergencies and assisting at major disasters, there are many instances every year of members of all the auxiliary services giving help and first aid, in an individual capacity, at all kinds of accidents and incidents.