SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1980
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THE DEPARTMENT'S PATROL LAUNCHES INSPECT ALL TYPHOON SHELTERS TO ENSURE THAT BOATS ARE SAFELY SHELTERED AND THAT FIRE LANES AND FAIRWAYS ARE NOT BLOCKED. AS LONG AS WEATHER CONDITIONS PERMIT. THEY WILL ALSO PATROL THE HARBOUR TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY ADVICE TO OCEAN-GOING VESSELS.
IF A SHIP IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE, THE DEPARTMENT'S PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE ACTS AS THE CO-ORDINATOR OF ANY SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION. GOVERNMENT VESSELS INCLUDING MARINE POLICE LAUNCHES, FIREBOATS, AND NAVY CRAFT MAY ALSO BE CALLED IN TO HELP.
OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS GOING ON ALERT INCLUDE THE FIRE SERVICES WHICH HANDLES RESCUE WORK AS WELL AS FIRE FIGHTING- THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH TAKES CARE OF THE INJURED= THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WHICH PROVIDES RELIEF, SHELTER AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRY PEOPLE THE POLICE WHICH MAINTAIN ROAD COMMUNICATIONS AND TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS- THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHICH REPAIRS DAMAGE TO ROADS, AND DRAINS THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDES FOOD AND OTHER RELIEF.
PLAYING AN EQUALLY IMPORTANT ROLE DURING EMERGENCIES ARE THE AUXILIARY SERVICES INCLUDING THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
MEMBERS OF THE CAS CAN BE CALLED OUT TO HELP TO CLEAR ROADS AND DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, TO EVACUATE CASUALTIES, TO CARRY URGENT DISPATCHES AND TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD AND OTHER RELIEF ARTICLES TO STORM VICTIMS WHILE AMS MEMBERS ARE MOBILISED TO STAFF EMERGENCY AMBULANCES IN FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S AMBULANCE DEPOTS.
AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE CAN BE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY ONCE STORM WARNING NO 3 IS UP, AND MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT, TOGETHER WITH THOSE OF THE ARMED FORCES, CAN BE QUICKLY MOBILISED TO FORM RESCUE PARTIES, FIRST AID TEAMS, EMERGENCY TREATMENT UNITS, OR TO SUPPORT THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES IN CLEARING ROADS, FIGHTING FIRES AND DISTRIBUTING RELIEF.
VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG RED CROSS AND THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE ARE ALSO ON STANDBY AND CAN BE CALLED OUT TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECTING AND CO-ORDINATING ALL THESE EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AUXILIARY SERVICES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IS THE CIVIL CO-ORDINATING CENTRE (CCC), WHICH IS USUALLY ACTIVATED WHEN TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING NO 8 OR HIGHER IS HOISTED.
UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE CCC ACTS AS THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY FOR THE ENTIRE EMERGENCY OPERATION.
THE SAME PRECAUTIONS ARE ALSO TAKEN DURING SEVERE RAINSTORMS, FLOODINGS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.
THROUGH THESE ARRANGEMENTS THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS WELL PREPARED TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND WORK TOWARDS A RAPID RETURN TO NORMAL CONDITIONS.
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