XN000022-1976-07-31 — Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1976

C.A.S. RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN

A SUCCESS

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THE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN RECENTLY LAUNCHED BY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

A C.A.S. SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DURING THE ONE-DAY EXERCISE, OVER 2,000 APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT IN THE ADULT SERVICE AND 600 APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT IN THE CADET CORPS WERE RECEIVED.

IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS, HE SAID, APPLICANTS WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THEY WERE CALLED FOR INTERVIEW.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT EVERY EFFORT WAS BEING MADE TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF APPLICATIONS.

AT PRESENT, THE C.A.S. HAS A STRENGTH OF 2,020 ADULT MEMBERS AND 1,541 CADETS. THEIR DUTIES RANGE FROM HELPING OTHER REGULAR EMERGENCY SERVICES IN COMBATING NATURAL DISASTERS TO ASSISTING IN THE REGISTRATION AND FEEDING OF THE HOMELESS.

THE ADULT RECRUITS WILL BE TRAINED TO HANDLE CASUALTIES, TO CONDUCT LIGHT AND HEAVY SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS AND TO GIVE ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE LOST OR INJURED IN THE MOUNTAINS. THEY WILL ALSO BE TRAINED IN CROWD CONTROLLING, FOREST FIRE-FIGHTING AND MANNING TYPHOON SHELTERS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THOSE RECRUITED FOR THE CADET CORPS WILL BE TAUGHT THE BASIC SKILLS AS PRACTISED IN THE ADULT SERVICE IN ADDITION TO CAMPING, COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT AND HOME RECREATION. FOR THE BIGGER BOYS, MORE ADVANCED COURSES WILL BE HELD IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, CANOE-MAKING AND MOUNTAINEERING TECHNIQUES.

IN SHORT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ALL THESE ACTIVITIES AIMED TO GUIDE AND TRAIN THE CADETS TO BECOME GOOD CITIZENS.

+ IT IS INDEED ENCOURAGING TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE, BOTH ADULTS AND YOUTHS, WILLING TO DEVOTE THEIR LEISURE TIME TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, + HE SAID.

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