THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES
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rescuing a seriously injured soldier in the New Territories during extremely adverse flying conditions.
THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES CORPS
The Essential Services Corps consists of about 60 units which can be mobilized during emergencies to maintain public utilities and other essential services. Approximately half of the 11,000- strong corps is formed from government departments and the other half from commercial organizations. Each unit is principally staffed by volunteers employed by the department or organization con- cerned. Comprehensive plans for the operation of each unit have been prepared and co-ordinated with the police and military. Since in an emergency most members perform their normal duties, the need for training does not on the whole arise. However, co-ordina- tion exercises are held from time to time. It was not necessary to mobilize the corps during this year's disturbances.
The Essential Services Corps includes three autonomous uniformed units: the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and Civil Aid Services.
The Auxiliary Fire Service, with a strength of some 700, provides a first line reserve for the regular Fire Service. Members carry out weekly training and stand by at various stations each weekend for operational experience. They frequently reinforce the professional Fire Service during major fires and natural disasters such as typhoons and landslides. In the May disturbances 200 auxiliaries were called out, and on numerous other occasions some auxiliaries were called out for brief periods to assist regular Fire Services staff. The Auxiliary Fire Service Band gave a number of concerts during the year in parks and playgrounds.
The Auxiliary Medical Service, with a strength of 5,000, serves as an emergency reinforcement unit for the Medical and Health Department. Members are trained to reinforce major government and private hospitals so that, in an emergency, they can deal with more acute casualties. The service is also ready to set up and staff relief hospitals for less serious and convalescent cases. Those ear- marked for hospital and dressing station duties as auxiliary nurses and auxiliary dressers carry out annual training in the wards and