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PUBLIC ORDER
Regular overseas training programmes are organised for both volunteer officers and permanent training staff. During the year, three officers attended advanced mountain rescue training in the United Kingdom; two officers joined a Royal Air Force expedition to Nepal; one officer attended a disaster management course at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre in Thailand and two officers attended counter-disaster command courses at the Australian Emergency Management Institute in Melbourne.
In October, a CAS delegation visited the Civil Defence Organisation and the National Committee for Natural Disaster Reduction in Beijing, China, to study their management techniques and to exchange experiences and views on related subjects.
Cadet Corps
The Cadet Corps comprises 22 all-boy units, three all-girl units and seven mixed units throughout the territory. Cadets join up when they are aged between 12 to 14 years, and undertake a series of training courses. Their tuition includes training in basic mechanical and electrical engineering, carpentry and fibre-glass moulding, printing and book-binding, as well as in photography and interior design. The cadets are also trained in countryside preservation, first-aid, crowd control psychology, road safety, rock-climbing, orienteering, expeditions and trekking. They are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. In 1994, six cadets qualified for the gold award, 12 for the silver and 59 for the bronze award. At 18, the cadets leave the corps and may join the adult voluntary -services.
Government Flying Service
The Government Flying Service (GFS) superseded the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force on April 1, 1993, carrying forward an establishment of 254 permanent staff com- prising aircrew, groundcrew and administrators. The GFS is a full-time disciplined service, operating in accordance with civil aviation rules. Apart from providing flying services. to support the work of various government departments and agencies, the GFS also provides a 24-hour emergency air ambulance and search-and-rescue service.
The GFS operates a fleet of 14 aircraft: two twin-engined Beech Super King Airs, two Slingsby Firefly trainers, eight Sikorsky S-76 helicopters and two Sikorsky S-70 heli- copters (Blackhawks). In 1994, over 6 859 hours were flown. A total of 1 003 requests for emergency medical evacuation and rescue were received. Some of these came from the local fishing fleet of about 4 800 boats, many of which now have high-frequency radios and portable telephones, enabling them to call for assistance when necessary. Altogether, 119 search and rescue operations were carried out, involving both helicopters and aeroplanes.
The Police Force and the Correctional Services Department made frequent use of helicopters for operational and training purposes. Helicopters also routinely took government engineering staff to hilltops, to carry out maintenance and repair work on communication repeater stations. The Super King Airs supported both police and customs officers in anti-smuggling operations, and were heavily employed by the Lands Department for aerial surveys, photography and map-making.
The Fireflys provided pilot training for cadet pilots. During the year, the GFS flew approximately 22 737 government officers in the course of their duties. Flying services were also provided to give official overseas visitors an overview of the territory.
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