ENG-1954 — Page 292

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954

water, communications, etc., etc. It is staffed primarily by those already employed in such services but contains an element of others normally employed in non-essential industries or departments who would be called upon to assist in the maintenance of the specific essential under- takings, should the need for their services ever arise. The Corps is now several thousand strong.

Auxiliary Fire Service

The function of this autonomous Unit of the Essential Services Corps is, as the name implies, to assist the regular Fire Brigade. The Auxiliary Fire Service is now a highly trained, keen and efficient body some hundreds strong which has already been frequently called upon to come to the assistance of the Fire Brigade in a number of serious fires.

Auxiliary Medical Service

The function of this Unit is to provide first aid and hospital treatment for the population of the Colony in emergency.

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The Auxiliary Medical Service is built up around the Government Department of Medical & Health Services, the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and the members of the medical and nursing professions in the Colony. In addition, a large number of persons with no previous medical experience has been enrolled, and training has proceeded to the point where members are fitted to act as auxiliary nurses in hospitals or as first-aid workers in the field. The Unit is now several thousand strong and of constantly improving efficiency..

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